Christmas Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
Lottie is looking forward to seeing her loved ones this Christmas, but says a primary method she'll endure is by using her noise-cancelling devices - especially during the main festive feast.
In her case, the holidays often feels like a notably tough season as the sounds of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing cause her profound anxiety.
"I get this sensation of sudden panic, my whole body will just tense up and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these sounds."
The individual has experienced sound sensitivity for several years and for her that makes the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to particular auditory triggers, especially noises produced by those around you.
It is prevalent amongst adults. Researchers discovered nearly 20% people suffer from it.
Typically it's sounds linked to bodily functions that lead to discomfort, as well as things like chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
She explains: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.
"My family are understanding, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy time of the year can quickly turn into a living nightmare for sufferers.
Noises that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can cause a strong emotional response that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.
Jenna, a young adult, who has dealt with misophonia from childhood, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to cope. Typically, she would often retreat in a different room to escape problematic noises.
She explains her condition is more pronounced around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There is pressure to be around loved ones, and I desire to, but it's draining.
"It's like this intense irritation comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel stressed and immediately start crying and then the stress response will activate.
"To others it appears as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
Several Strategies to Cope
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, according to specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Mental imagery is key. Try to associate the triggering sound bothering you with something completely different. For instance, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a game with the person. 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 challenge should help distract your brain and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to invent a reason about why the person making the noise is doing it. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not at their best or are troubled. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. While the noise remains identical, your interpretation of it moves from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
