Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
Lottie is looking forward to being with her loved ones during the festive period, but says a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by using her earplugs - especially during the main festive feast.
For the 23-year-old, Christmas often feels like a especially challenging time as the auditory triggers of people eating, slurping and breathing heavily trigger profound anxiety.
"I experience this feeling of instant dread, my every muscle will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in danger, and I need to stop these triggers."
She has lived with sound sensitivity from a young age and for her that causes the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, particularly those coming from other people.
The condition is widespread amongst adults. A study discovered nearly 20% people experience it.
Frequently it's sounds connected to eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, including examples such as crunching, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
Lottie says: "I face so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to make sure everyone else is happy."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy season can quickly turn into a living nightmare for sufferers.
Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a powerful reaction that can even cause them skipping events entirely.
She, a young adult, who has dealt with misophonia for over a decade, says currently her plan is to listen to music to manage the meal. Usually, she would frequently go in a different room to avoid triggering sounds.
She says her misophonia is more intense around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"There's an expectation to socialize with family, and I want to, but it's draining.
"The sensation is this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and burst into tears and then panic will kick in.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's hard to explain unless you've experienced it."
Three Ways to Manage
For those affected then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, according to experts.
- Picture an Alternative: Creative thinking is key. Work on connecting the particular sound bothering you with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to envision someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game with the culprit. As an example, if someone is eating noisily try copying the noise. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Craft a Story: 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 making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. By doing this is re-framing the context of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your understanding of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
