Yuletide Can Be a Nightmare for Those with Misophonia.
One young woman hopes for spending time with her family this Christmas, but says a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her earplugs - particularly at Christmas dinner.
For the 23-year-old, the holidays can be a notably tough period as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, sipping loudly and nose-blowing cause her intense distress.
"I get this wave of instant dread, my every muscle will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to manage these noises."
The individual has lived with misophonia from a young age and for her that makes the Christmas time "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, notably sounds made by individuals.
The condition is widespread amongst adults. Researchers reported a significant portion of people are affected by it.
Frequently it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that cause distress, including things like chewing, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
The sufferer notes: "There are so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you fear it.
"My family are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to ensure everyone else is happy."
So it's obvious why the most wonderful time of the year can quickly turn into a source of agony for those with the condition.
Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even result in them skipping events entirely.
The student, a young adult, who has struggled with misophonia since aged 10, explains her strategy is to use headphones to manage the meal. Usually, she would often retreat in a different room to avoid distressing triggers.
She explains her misophonia is more intense around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to be around family, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"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 take over.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's hard to explain without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Cope
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, according to specialists.
- Imagine Something Else: Imagination is essential. Work on connecting the triggering sound bothering you with an unrelated image. For instance, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a game involving the source. For example, if someone is crunching loudly try joining in. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help distract your brain and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Create a Scenario: Another technique is to try to invent a reason about why the person creating the sound is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not at their best or maybe they're upset. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the noise stays the same, your interpretation of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
