Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman hopes for spending time with her loved ones over the holidays, but says a key strategy she'll cope is by relying on her noise-cancelling devices - notably for the main festive feast.
In her case, this time of year can be a particularly difficult period as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, slurping and sniffling trigger profound anxiety.
"There's this sensation of instant dread, my entire being will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in danger, and I need to stop these sounds."
Lottie has lived with this condition since she was 16 and for her that causes the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to certain sounds, particularly those produced by those around you.
The condition is widespread amongst adults. A study reported nearly 20% people are affected by it.
Typically it's noises associated with bodily functions that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
Triggering Stress
The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.
"My relatives are supportive, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the most wonderful time of the year can transform into a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Noises that may seem harmless, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a visceral feeling that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a university student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity since aged 10, explains currently her plan is to use headphones to manage the meal. Usually, she would frequently go in a quiet area to avoid distressing triggers.
She says her misophonia is more pronounced around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "difficult".
"People assume you to socialize with family, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"The sensation is this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then panic will take over.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's hard to explain without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Cope
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can attempt to manage the situation, according to specialists.
- Imagine Something Else: Creative thinking is key. Try to associate the particular sound bothering you with an unrelated image. For instance, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. By doing this is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge involving the source. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly try copying the noise. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not feeling well or are troubled. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Although the sound remains identical, your interpretation of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
