Christmas Transforms Into a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.
Lottie hopes for spending time with her relatives this Christmas, but notes one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her earplugs - especially during Christmas dinner.
In her case, this time of year is a notably tough season as the sounds of people eating, sipping loudly and breathing heavily cause her intense distress.
"I experience this wave of instant dread, my entire being will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these sounds."
Lottie has experienced misophonia from a young age and for her that causes the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, especially noises produced by those around you.
It is prevalent across the population. A study discovered almost one in five people experience it.
Frequently it's noises associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, including things like chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
A Source of Dread
The sufferer notes: "I face so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.
"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of enduring my distress to make sure everyone else is happy."
So it's obvious why the supposedly joyous period can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a visceral feeling that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity for over a decade, explains her strategy is to use headphones to manage the meal. On any other day, she would frequently go in a different room to minimize problematic noises.
She explains her sensitivity is more intense around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "hard".
"There is pressure to spend time with family, and I desire to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"The sensation is this intense irritation washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and immediately start crying and then panic will activate.
"To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe unless you've experienced it."
Three Ways to Cope
For those affected then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, according to experts.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound bothering you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge involving the source. For example, if someone is crunching loudly try copying the noise. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an willing part. And the competition element should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to invent a reason about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. So if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not in good health or are troubled. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound stays the same, your reaction of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
