Christmas Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old is looking forward to spending time with her loved ones over the holidays, but says a key strategy she'll cope is by using her noise-cancelling devices - notably for the main festive feast.
For her, this time of year often feels like a especially challenging season as the sounds of other people chewing, sipping loudly and sniffling trigger profound anxiety.
"I experience this wave of immediate anxiety, my every muscle will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in danger, and I need to manage these triggers."
The individual has experienced sound sensitivity from a young age and for her that causes the holiday period "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, notably sounds made by individuals.
It is prevalent amongst adults. A study found a significant portion of people suffer from it.
Typically it's noises connected to eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, as well as things like crunching, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
She explains: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid 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 managing my symptoms to make sure others enjoy themselves."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful time of the year can quickly turn into a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Sounds that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a powerful reaction that can even lead to them skipping events entirely.
Jenna, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity from childhood, says her strategy is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Typically, she would usually isolate herself in a quiet area to avoid problematic noises.
She notes her misophonia is more pronounced around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to be around loved ones, and I want to, but it's draining.
"It's like this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then fight-or-flight will activate.
"To others it appears as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Handle It
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, according to clinical psychologists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is essential. Work on connecting the particular sound bothering you with something completely different. For instance, try to picture someone's slurping is just a waterfall. The goal is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a competition with the person. As an example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at joining in. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone making the noise is behaving that way. So if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not at their best or could be emotional. This approach is changing the meaning of the sound. While the sound doesn't change, your reaction of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
