Christmas Transforms Into a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
Lottie is looking forward to spending time with her relatives this Christmas, but says a key strategy she'll endure is by relying on her earplugs - particularly at the main festive feast.
In her case, this time of year is a especially challenging time as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, sipping loudly and breathing heavily make her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"There's this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tense up and it as though I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these noises."
She has suffered from this condition from a young age and for her that renders the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, particularly those coming from individuals.
It's surprisingly common in the UK. A study discovered nearly 20% people experience it.
Often it's sounds connected to bodily functions that cause distress, along with things like crunching, breathing, and foot tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
She explains: "There are so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.
"My relatives are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy period can rapidly become a source of agony for those with the condition.
Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone sipping a beverage, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even result in them skipping events entirely.
The student, a 21-year-old student, who has struggled with sound sensitivity from childhood, states currently her plan is to put her earphones in to cope. On any other day, she would often retreat in a separate space to escape triggering sounds.
She notes her condition is worse around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There is pressure to spend time with family, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"I feel as if this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel stressed and burst into tears and then the stress response will kick in.
"To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
Several Strategies to Manage
If it's an issue then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, based on advice from experts.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Creative thinking is crucial. Attempt to link the particular sound affecting you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. The goal is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a game with the culprit. For instance, if someone is eating noisily attempt joining in. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help shift your attention and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to invent a reason about why the person creating the sound is doing it. So if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not feeling well or maybe they're upset. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the noise doesn't change, your reaction of it changes from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
