Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Nightmare for Misophonia Sufferers.
Lottie is looking forward to spending time with her family during the festive period, but admits one of the only ways she'll cope is by wearing her hearing protection - particularly at the main festive feast.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year often feels like a especially challenging period as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, sipping loudly and nose-blowing cause her extremely uncomfortable.
"There's this wave of instant dread, my whole body will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to stop these noises."
The individual has experienced this condition since she was 16 and for her that renders the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to particular auditory triggers, particularly those produced by other people.
It is prevalent in the UK. Researchers found a significant portion of people suffer from it.
Typically it's noises associated with eating or drinking that cause distress, along with 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 want to avoid it.
"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to make sure others enjoy themselves."
So it's clear why the most wonderful period can rapidly become a source of agony for those with the condition.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a powerful reaction that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
The student, a 21-year-old student, who has experienced misophonia since aged 10, explains currently her plan is to listen to music to manage the meal. Usually, she would frequently go in a separate space to minimize distressing triggers.
She notes her sensitivity is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "hard".
"There's an expectation to spend time with family, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"The sensation is this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and immediately start crying and then fight-or-flight will activate.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Cope
If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, according to specialists.
- Picture a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is key. Attempt to link the triggering sound bothering you with an unrelated image. So for example, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the culprit. For example, if someone is crunching loudly try joining in. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Develop a Narrative: A further strategy is to try to create a little story about the reason someone creating the sound is behaving that way. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not feeling well or could be emotional. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. While the noise remains identical, your interpretation of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
