Christmas Can Be a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
Lottie anticipates spending time with her family during the festive period, but admits a key strategy she'll cope is by relying on her earplugs - notably for the holiday meal.
In her case, this time of year often feels like a particularly difficult period as the sounds of family members munching, slurping and sniffling make her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"I experience this feeling of sudden panic, my entire being will just tense up and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to manage these triggers."
She has lived with this condition from a young age and for her that renders the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, especially noises made by those around you.
It's surprisingly common amongst adults. A study reported nearly 20% people experience it.
Frequently it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, including things like chewing, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
Lottie says: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"My relatives are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee others enjoy themselves."
So it's easy to understand why the traditionally happy period can rapidly become a source of agony for sufferers.
Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can cause a strong emotional response that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
The student, a young adult, who has experienced misophonia since aged 10, states the approach she intends to use is to use headphones to cope. Typically, she would often retreat in a separate space to minimize distressing triggers.
She explains her misophonia is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"There is pressure to be around loved ones, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"The sensation is this intense irritation comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then panic will take over.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's tough to describe unless you've experienced it."
Several Strategies to Handle It
For those affected then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is crucial. Attempt to link the triggering sound bothering you with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a competition with the culprit. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt mimicking the sound. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to create a little story about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. So if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. This approach is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound doesn't change, your understanding of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
