Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old anticipates spending time with her relatives this Christmas, but notes one of the only ways she'll endure is by relying on her hearing protection - notably for Christmas dinner.
For the 23-year-old, Christmas can be a especially challenging time as the noises of people eating, sipping loudly and nose-blowing cause her extremely uncomfortable.
"I experience this sensation of instant dread, my whole body will just tighten and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to stop these triggers."
The individual has experienced this condition for several years and for her that causes the festive season "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, notably sounds produced by other people.
It is prevalent across the population. A study discovered nearly 20% people are affected by it.
Often it's sounds associated with bodily functions that trigger a reaction, along with examples such as crunching, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
Triggering Stress
The sufferer notes: "I face so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"My family are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy period can quickly turn into a source of agony for affected individuals.
Triggers that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a visceral feeling that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a 21-year-old student, who has struggled with misophonia for over a decade, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to cope. On any other day, she would frequently go in a different room to avoid triggering sounds.
She explains her sensitivity is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to be around family, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then panic will take over.
"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Manage
For those affected then there are various strategies you can try to cope the situation, as suggested by clinical psychologists.
- Imagine an Alternative: Imagination is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound affecting you with an unrelated image. So for example, try to picture someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the person. For instance, if someone is eating noisily try copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help distract your brain and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Develop a Narrative: A further strategy is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person creating the sound is doing it. So if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not in good health or could be emotional. This approach is re-framing the context of the sound. Even though the noise doesn't change, your interpretation of it shifts from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
