Christmas Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
Lottie hopes for being with her relatives over the holidays, but admits a key strategy she'll cope is by wearing her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at the main festive feast.
For her, this time of year often feels like a particularly difficult season as the sounds of other people chewing, slurping and breathing heavily cause her profound anxiety.
"I get this sensation of instant dread, my entire being will just tense up and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to manage these triggers."
Lottie has experienced misophonia since she was 16 and for her that renders the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, especially noises coming from those around you.
It is prevalent amongst adults. A study reported a significant portion of people suffer from it.
Typically it's noises linked to bodily functions that lead to discomfort, as well as things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
The sufferer notes: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you want to avoid it.
"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to ensure everyone else is happy."
So it's obvious why the most wonderful time of the year can rapidly become a source of agony for those with the condition.
Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone drinking champagne, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or eating the holiday meal can cause a strong emotional response that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
Jenna, a university student, who has experienced misophonia from childhood, explains currently her plan is to put her earphones in to cope. Typically, she would often retreat in a separate space to minimize problematic noises.
She notes her sensitivity is worse around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "hard".
"There's an expectation to socialize with family, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger washes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and immediately start crying and then the stress response will kick in.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Cope
If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from experts.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Creative thinking is key. Attempt to link the particular sound bothering you with an unrelated image. So for example, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the culprit. For example, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at mimicking the sound. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not feeling well or are troubled. This approach is changing the meaning of the sound. While the sound doesn't change, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
