The Holiday Season Often Proves to Be a Nightmare for Those with Misophonia.
Lottie is looking forward to being with her relatives over the holidays, but says one of the only ways she'll cope is by using her noise-cancelling devices - especially during the main festive feast.
For her, Christmas can be a notably tough period as the sounds of people eating, slurping and breathing heavily cause her intense distress.
"I get this wave of immediate anxiety, my entire being will just tense up and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these triggers."
The individual has lived with misophonia from a young age and for her that causes the holiday period "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, particularly those coming from those around you.
It's surprisingly common in the UK. A study found a significant portion of people are affected by it.
Typically it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, along with examples such as chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
The sufferer notes: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of enduring my distress to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful time of the year can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for those with the condition.
Noises that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can provoke a visceral feeling that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether.
Jenna, a young adult, who has dealt with misophonia since aged 10, states the approach she intends to use is to use headphones to manage the meal. Usually, she would often retreat in a separate space to avoid triggering sounds.
She explains her misophonia is more intense around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "hard".
"There is pressure to socialize with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this intense irritation washes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then the stress response will kick in.
"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."
Several Strategies to Manage
If it's an issue then there are various strategies you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Imagine a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is essential. Try to associate the triggering sound affecting you with something completely different. For instance, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. The goal is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a game with the person. For instance, if someone is crunching loudly attempt copying the noise. By joining in, 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 a little less affected.
- Develop a Narrative: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not at their best or could be emotional. By doing this is altering the perception of the sound. While the sound stays the same, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.