The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.
Lottie anticipates seeing her loved ones over the holidays, but admits a primary method she'll endure is by relying on her hearing protection - particularly at the holiday meal.
For her, the holidays often feels like a particularly difficult time as the noises of people eating, drinking noisily and sniffling make her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"There's this wave of sudden panic, my whole body will just tense up and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to stop these noises."
The individual has experienced misophonia for several years and for her that renders the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to particular auditory triggers, particularly those made by individuals.
It is prevalent across the population. Researchers reported a significant portion of people experience it.
Typically it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, including things like crunching, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
She explains: "I face so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.
"My relatives are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to ensure everyone else is happy."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy season can transform into a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or eating the holiday meal can cause a strong emotional response that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a young adult, who has dealt with misophonia from childhood, explains her strategy is to use headphones to manage the meal. On any other day, she would often retreat in a quiet area to escape distressing triggers.
She notes her sensitivity is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"People assume you to be around family, and I want to, but it's draining.
"It's like this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and burst into tears and then panic will kick in.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, 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 use to handle the situation, as suggested by experts.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is crucial. Attempt to link the particular sound bothering you with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to retrain your mind that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a game with the culprit. For instance, if someone is eating noisily attempt copying the noise. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person creating the sound is doing it. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not feeling well or maybe they're upset. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. While the sound stays the same, your understanding of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
