Christmas Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
Lottie anticipates being with her relatives over the holidays, but says one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by using her hearing protection - especially during the holiday meal.
For her, the holidays can be a particularly difficult period as the noises of people eating, drinking noisily and sniffling cause her profound anxiety.
"I get this feeling of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tense up and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to stop these triggers."
Lottie has lived with this condition from a young age and for her that renders the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, particularly those produced by other people.
It is prevalent in the UK. A study reported nearly 20% people suffer from it.
Frequently it's sounds associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, along with things like chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.
A Source of Dread
The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you fear it.
"My family are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the most wonderful season can quickly turn into a source of agony for affected individuals.
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 result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
Jenna, a university student, who has dealt with misophonia from childhood, explains currently her plan is to listen to music to manage the meal. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to avoid triggering sounds.
She notes her condition is more intense around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "hard".
"There's an expectation to socialize with family, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"I feel as if this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and burst into tears and then fight-or-flight will kick in.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe unless you've experienced it."
Three Ways to Cope
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by clinical psychologists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Mental imagery is key. Try to associate the triggering sound causing distress with an unrelated image. For instance, try to envision someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to retrain your mind that the sound affecting you is neutral.
- Make it a Game: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a challenge involving the source. For instance, if someone is eating noisily have a go at copying the noise. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an willing part. And the challenge 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 the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not at their best or are troubled. By doing this is altering the perception of the sound. While the noise stays the same, your reaction of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
