Yuletide Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
Lottie is looking forward to spending time with her loved ones during the festive period, but says a primary method she'll cope is by wearing her hearing protection - especially during Christmas dinner.
For her, the holidays can be a especially challenging period as the noises of other people chewing, slurping and breathing heavily make her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"There's this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tense up and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to manage these sounds."
The individual has lived with sound sensitivity for several years and for her that makes the Christmas time "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, particularly those produced by other people.
The condition is widespread in the UK. Experts found almost one in five people experience it.
Often it's sounds linked to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, including examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "I face so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.
"My family are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to ensure others enjoy themselves."
So it's clear why the most wonderful time of the year can transform into a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a strong emotional response that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a university student, who has struggled with misophonia since aged 10, says her strategy is to listen to music to get through dinner. On any other day, she would frequently go in a quiet area to minimize problematic noises.
She notes her sensitivity is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "difficult".
"There is pressure to socialize with family, and I want to, but it's draining.
"I feel as if this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then panic will kick in.
"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Cope
If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by experts.
- Visualise an Alternative: Mental imagery is essential. Work on connecting the specific noise causing distress with an unrelated image. For instance, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a game with the culprit. For instance, if someone is eating noisily attempt joining in. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help redirect your focus 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. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not at their best or maybe they're upset. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your interpretation of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
