Christmas Often Proves to Be a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
Lottie hopes for spending time with her family this Christmas, but admits one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her earplugs - notably for the main festive feast.
For her, the holidays often feels like a particularly difficult time as the noises of family members munching, slurping and breathing heavily cause her intense distress.
"I get this feeling of instant dread, my entire being will just tighten and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these triggers."
The individual has experienced sound sensitivity from a young age and for her that makes the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, especially noises made by individuals.
The condition is widespread amongst adults. A study found nearly 20% people experience it.
Often it's sounds connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that trigger a reaction, as well as things like chewing, breathing, and pen clicking.
Triggering Stress
Lottie says: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to make sure everyone else is happy."
So it's clear why the supposedly joyous season can transform into a source of agony for sufferers.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone sipping a beverage, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even cause them skipping events entirely.
The student, a 21-year-old student, who has experienced misophonia for over a decade, explains currently her plan is to listen to music to get through dinner. Typically, she would frequently go in a separate space to minimize triggering sounds.
She explains her condition is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"People assume you to be around loved ones, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"The sensation is this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel stressed and burst into tears and then the stress response will take over.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Manage
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from experts.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Imagination is key. Attempt to link the specific noise bothering you with an unrelated image. As an illustration, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the person. For example, if someone is crunching loudly try copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Create a Scenario: Another technique is to try to invent a reason about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. For example if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not feeling well or could be emotional. By doing this is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the sound doesn't change, your reaction of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
