Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
Lottie hopes for being with her relatives during the festive period, but says one of the only ways she'll endure is by relying on her earplugs - notably for Christmas dinner.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year is a notably tough season as the sounds of people eating, sipping loudly and sniffling make her feel intense distress.
"I get this sensation of sudden panic, my entire being will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to stop these noises."
She has experienced sound sensitivity for several years and for her that renders the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, notably sounds coming from other people.
It is prevalent amongst adults. A study reported nearly 20% people suffer from it.
Frequently it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, along with things like chewing, breathing, and pen clicking.
'Anxiety Inducing'
The sufferer notes: "I face so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you dread it.
"My family are supportive, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy season can transform into a stressful ordeal for affected individuals.
Noises that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can provoke a powerful reaction that can even lead to them withdrawing from gatherings.
Jenna, a young adult, who has struggled with sound sensitivity for over a decade, says her strategy is to listen to music to manage the meal. On any other day, she would often retreat in a quiet area to escape problematic noises.
She notes her sensitivity is worse around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"People assume you to spend time with loved ones, and I want to, but it's draining.
"The sensation is this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and immediately start crying and then panic will take over.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Cope
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, according to experts.
- Picture a Different Scenario: Imagination is crucial. Work on connecting the triggering sound causing distress with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a game involving the source. For example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt copying the noise. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to invent a reason about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. So if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or are troubled. By doing this is re-framing the context of the sound. While the sound doesn't change, your understanding of it changes from being aggravating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
