Christmas Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
Lottie is looking forward to seeing her relatives this Christmas, but says one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her earplugs - especially during Christmas dinner.
In her case, this time of year is a especially challenging time as the sounds of other people chewing, drinking noisily and breathing heavily trigger intense distress.
"I experience this sensation of instant dread, my entire being will just tighten and it as though I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these triggers."
The individual has experienced sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that renders the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, notably sounds coming from other people.
The condition is widespread across the population. Researchers reported a significant portion of people are affected by it.
Often it's noises connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that trigger a reaction, including examples such as chewing, breathing, and pen clicking.
A Source of Dread
She explains: "There are so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.
"My relatives are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the traditionally happy season can transform into a source of agony for sufferers.
Noises that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a visceral feeling that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
Jenna, a young adult, who has struggled with misophonia since aged 10, says the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. Typically, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to escape distressing triggers.
She says her condition is more intense around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"There is pressure to spend time with loved ones, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"The sensation is this intense irritation washes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then panic will activate.
"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Manage
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, according to experts.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Creative thinking is crucial. Try to associate the triggering sound bothering you with an unrelated image. For instance, try to envision someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. The goal is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a competition involving the source. For example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt copying the noise. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to invent a reason about why the person creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not feeling well or maybe they're upset. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. While the noise remains identical, your interpretation of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
