The Holiday Season Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman hopes for seeing her loved ones this Christmas, but says a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her noise-cancelling devices - especially during the holiday meal.
In her case, Christmas often feels like a especially challenging period as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, slurping and breathing heavily make her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"I get this sensation of sudden panic, my whole body will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to stop these noises."
Lottie has lived with this condition since she was 16 and for her that makes the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, notably sounds produced by other people.
The condition is widespread amongst adults. Researchers discovered almost one in five people experience it.
Often it's noises associated with eating or drinking that cause distress, along with examples such as crunching, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
Triggering Stress
Lottie says: "There are so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.
"My family are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure others enjoy themselves."
So it's clear why the most wonderful period can quickly turn into a source of agony for sufferers.
Noises that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can trigger a visceral feeling that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a university student, who has struggled with sound sensitivity from childhood, states currently her plan is to listen to music to get through dinner. Typically, she would frequently go in a quiet area to minimize distressing triggers.
She explains her sensitivity is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"There is pressure to socialize with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"The sensation is this uncontrollable anger comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will activate.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Handle It
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, as suggested by clinical psychologists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Creative thinking is crucial. Work on connecting the particular sound affecting you with something completely different. For instance, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
- Make it a Game: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the culprit. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt mimicking the sound. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to create a little story about the reason someone creating the sound is behaving that way. For example if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not feeling well or could be emotional. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
