Christmas Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.
One young woman is looking forward to spending time with her loved ones over the holidays, but notes a primary method she'll endure is by relying on her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at the main festive feast.
In her case, this time of year often feels like a especially challenging time as the noises of other people chewing, drinking noisily and nose-blowing trigger extremely uncomfortable.
"I experience this sensation of immediate anxiety, my entire being will just freeze and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to stop these sounds."
She has lived with sound sensitivity for several years and for her that renders the Christmas time "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those made by those around you.
It's surprisingly common amongst adults. Experts found nearly 20% people experience it.
Typically it's noises connected to eating or drinking that cause distress, along with examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
She explains: "I face so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.
"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful period can quickly turn into a living nightmare for sufferers.
Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can trigger a powerful reaction that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with misophonia for over a decade, explains the approach she intends to use is to use headphones to get through dinner. Usually, she would often retreat in a quiet area to avoid triggering sounds.
She says her misophonia is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"People assume you to spend time with loved ones, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and burst into tears and then the stress response will kick in.
"To others it appears as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."
A Few Techniques to Manage
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, according to experts.
- Visualise an Alternative: Creative thinking is key. Work on connecting the particular sound causing distress with something completely different. So for example, try to picture someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. For instance, if someone is eating noisily try joining in. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to create a little story about why the person creating the sound is having to make that sound. So if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not in good health or maybe they're upset. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. While the noise doesn't change, your interpretation of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
