Christmas Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old is looking forward to seeing her relatives during the festive period, but says one of the only ways she'll cope is by relying on her earplugs - especially during the main festive feast.
For the 23-year-old, the holidays is a notably tough season as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, drinking noisily and breathing heavily trigger intense distress.
"I get this sensation of instant dread, my every muscle will just freeze and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to manage these triggers."
The individual has suffered from this condition for several years and for her that causes the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, particularly those coming from those around you.
The condition is widespread amongst adults. Experts reported almost one in five people experience it.
Often it's sounds linked to bodily functions that lead to discomfort, along with things like chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.
"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful time of the year can transform into a stressful ordeal for those with the condition.
Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can provoke a visceral feeling that can even lead to them skipping events entirely.
She, a young adult, who has struggled with sound sensitivity for over a decade, says the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. On any other day, she would frequently go in a separate space to escape problematic noises.
She says her misophonia is more intense around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "hard".
"People assume you to be around loved ones, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger washes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then the stress response will activate.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
A Few Techniques to Cope
If you suffer then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, based on advice from specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound causing distress with something completely different. As an illustration, try to envision someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a game with the culprit. For example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt copying the noise. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not in good health or are troubled. By doing this is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the sound stays the same, your understanding of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
