The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.
Lottie hopes for spending time with her family over the holidays, but says a key strategy she'll endure is by wearing her hearing protection - especially during Christmas dinner.
In her case, this time of year is a notably tough season as the sounds of family members munching, sipping loudly and nose-blowing make her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"There's this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in danger, and I need to manage these sounds."
She has experienced sound sensitivity for several years and for her that makes the holiday period "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to certain sounds, notably sounds coming from other people.
The condition is widespread across the population. Researchers discovered nearly 20% people are affected by it.
Frequently it's noises linked to eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, as well as things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
She explains: "There are so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful period can rapidly become a source of agony for sufferers.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a visceral feeling that can even cause them skipping events entirely.
Jenna, a young adult, who has struggled with sound sensitivity from childhood, explains her strategy is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. On any other day, she would often retreat in a different room to minimize problematic noises.
She notes her condition is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"There is pressure to socialize with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"I feel as if this intense irritation washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and burst into tears and then panic will kick in.
"It may seem as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."
Several Strategies to Manage
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Imagination is crucial. Attempt to link the specific noise bothering you with something completely different. So for example, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. As an example, if someone is eating noisily try mimicking the sound. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an engaged person. And the competition element should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to create a little story about the reason someone creating the sound is behaving that way. So if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not at their best or could be emotional. By doing this is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the sound stays the same, your understanding of it changes from being aggravating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.