Yuletide Can Be a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
One young woman is looking forward to spending time with her relatives over the holidays, but says one of the only ways she'll cope is by using her hearing protection - especially during the holiday meal.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year often feels like a especially challenging season as the noises of other people chewing, drinking noisily and nose-blowing trigger profound anxiety.
"I get this wave of immediate anxiety, my whole body will just tighten and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to stop these noises."
The individual has suffered from this condition since she was 16 and for her that causes the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to particular auditory triggers, notably sounds produced by other people.
The condition is widespread in the UK. Experts reported almost one in five people are affected by it.
Frequently it's sounds linked to bodily functions that trigger a reaction, including examples such as crunching, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
The sufferer notes: "There are so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you want to avoid it.
"My relatives are aware, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the most wonderful time of the year can transform into a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone sipping a beverage, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can cause a strong emotional response that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a university student, who has experienced sound sensitivity for over a decade, explains currently her plan is to listen to music to get through dinner. On any other day, she would frequently go in a quiet area to avoid triggering sounds.
She explains her condition is worse around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "hard".
"People assume you to be around loved ones, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"The sensation is this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then the stress response will kick in.
"To others it appears as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Cope
If it's an issue then there are various strategies you can try to cope the situation, based on advice from specialists.
- Imagine a Different Scenario: Creative thinking is crucial. Try to associate the particular sound bothering you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. The goal is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the culprit. As an example, if someone is eating noisily attempt joining in. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to invent a reason about why the person creating the sound is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not in good health or could be emotional. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the noise doesn't change, your understanding of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
