Yuletide Transforms Into a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.
One young woman hopes for spending time with her relatives over the holidays, but says a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her hearing protection - notably for the holiday meal.
For her, this time of year often feels like a particularly difficult time as the sounds of people eating, slurping and nose-blowing cause her intense distress.
"I experience this sensation of immediate anxiety, my whole body will just tense up and it seems as if I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these sounds."
The individual has suffered from this condition for several years and for her that makes the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to specific noises, notably sounds produced by those around you.
It is prevalent in the UK. Experts discovered almost one in five people are affected by it.
Often it's noises connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that trigger a reaction, as well as things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
She explains: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a really big battle of enduring my distress to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy time of the year can quickly turn into a source of agony for those with the condition.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone sipping a beverage, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a 21-year-old student, who has experienced misophonia for over a decade, states her strategy is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. Usually, she would frequently go in a separate space to minimize problematic noises.
She says her misophonia is more intense around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"There is pressure to be around loved ones, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"It's like this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and burst into tears and then the stress response will take over.
"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Manage
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, as suggested by clinical psychologists.
- Picture an Alternative: Creative thinking is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound bothering you with an unrelated image. For instance, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. The goal is to retrain your mind that the sound affecting you is neutral.
- Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a game with the culprit. For instance, if someone is eating noisily attempt mimicking the sound. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the sound stays the same, your understanding of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
