Christmas Transforms Into a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
Lottie anticipates seeing her loved ones during the festive period, but admits a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by using her hearing protection - notably for the holiday meal.
In her case, this time of year often feels like a especially challenging season as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing trigger intense distress.
"I experience this sensation of sudden panic, my entire being will just tighten and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to stop these sounds."
The individual has lived with this condition since she was 16 and for her that renders the festive season "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, especially noises made by those around you.
The condition is widespread across the population. A study found a significant portion of people suffer from it.
Often it's sounds connected to bodily functions that cause distress, as well as examples such as chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "You encounter so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy season can rapidly become a source of agony for those with the condition.
Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or enjoying festive food can cause a strong emotional response that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether.
Jenna, a young adult, who has dealt with misophonia since aged 10, explains her strategy is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. On any other day, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to minimize distressing triggers.
She explains her misophonia is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "hard".
"There's an expectation to socialize with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"The sensation is this uncontrollable anger comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then panic will kick in.
"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Manage
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can attempt to manage the situation, based on advice from specialists.
- Picture an Alternative: Mental imagery is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound causing distress with something completely different. So for example, try to envision someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a game involving the source. For example, if someone is eating noisily try joining in. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an engaged person. And the challenge should help distract your brain and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Craft a Story: A further strategy is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone making the noise is doing it. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not feeling well or could be emotional. This approach is re-framing the context of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your understanding of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
