Yuletide Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old anticipates spending time with her family this Christmas, but says one of the only ways she'll cope is by using her earplugs - particularly at the holiday meal.
For her, the holidays is a especially challenging season as the sounds of people eating, slurping and nose-blowing cause her intense distress.
"I get this wave of instant dread, my every muscle will just freeze and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to stop these noises."
Lottie has suffered from sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that causes the Christmas time "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to particular auditory triggers, especially noises coming from those around you.
It is prevalent across the population. Experts reported almost one in five people experience it.
Typically it's noises linked to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, including examples such as chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
Triggering Stress
She explains: "I face so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you fear it.
"My family are supportive, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy time of the year can transform into a living nightmare for affected individuals.
Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a strong emotional response that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a 21-year-old student, who has struggled with sound sensitivity since aged 10, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Usually, she would often retreat in a separate space to escape triggering sounds.
She says her misophonia is worse around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"People assume you to be around family, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and immediately start crying and then the stress response will take over.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Manage
If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, according to clinical psychologists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Mental imagery is crucial. Try to associate the particular sound bothering you with an unrelated image. As an illustration, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. The goal is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a competition with the culprit. As an example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at joining in. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the competition element should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not feeling well or could be emotional. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the noise remains identical, your interpretation of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
