Christmas Can Be a Nightmare for Misophonia Sufferers.
A 23-year-old is looking forward to spending time with her loved ones during the festive period, but notes a primary method she'll cope is by relying on her hearing protection - particularly at the main festive feast.
For her, Christmas can be a notably tough season as the sounds of other people chewing, drinking noisily and breathing heavily cause her extremely uncomfortable.
"I get this wave of immediate anxiety, my every muscle will just tighten and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to manage these noises."
Lottie has lived with sound sensitivity for several years and for her that causes the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, notably sounds made by those around you.
It's surprisingly common in the UK. Experts reported nearly 20% people are affected by it.
Typically it's sounds connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, along with things like crunching, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
'Anxiety Inducing'
Lottie says: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you dread 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 make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy season can quickly turn into a source of agony for those with the condition.
Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or eating the holiday meal can cause a visceral feeling that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.
Jenna, a young adult, who has struggled with sound sensitivity from childhood, explains the approach she intends to use is to listen to music to cope. On any other day, she would frequently go in a different room to minimize problematic noises.
She explains her condition is more intense around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "difficult".
"People assume you to be around loved ones, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"I feel as if this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then panic will take over.
"To others it appears as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
Several Strategies to Handle It
If you suffer then there are various strategies you can try to cope the situation, according to specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Mental imagery is essential. Try to associate the particular sound bothering you with something completely different. For instance, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the culprit. For instance, if someone is eating noisily have a go at mimicking the sound. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
- Develop a Narrative: A further strategy is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. So if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. While the noise remains identical, your understanding of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
