Christmas Can Be a Nightmare for Misophonia Sufferers.
A 23-year-old is looking forward to seeing her relatives over the holidays, but notes one of the only ways she'll endure is by using her hearing protection - especially during the holiday meal.
In her case, Christmas often feels like a particularly difficult period as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, slurping and sniffling trigger intense distress.
"I experience this feeling of instant dread, my every muscle will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in danger, and I need to manage these sounds."
Lottie has experienced misophonia for several years and for her that makes the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, particularly those coming from other people.
It's surprisingly common amongst adults. Researchers found a significant portion of people are affected by it.
Often it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that cause distress, including things like chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
Triggering Stress
Lottie says: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.
"My family are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to ensure everyone else is happy."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy time of the year can transform into a source of agony for sufferers.
Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or eating the holiday meal can provoke a strong emotional response that can even result in them skipping events entirely.
Jenna, a university student, who has dealt with misophonia from childhood, states her strategy is to put her earphones in to cope. Typically, she would usually isolate herself in a quiet area to escape problematic noises.
She notes her misophonia is more pronounced around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"There is pressure to socialize with family, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"The sensation is this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and burst into tears and then the stress response will kick in.
"It may seem as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."
A Few Techniques to Cope
If you suffer then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, based on advice from specialists.
- Picture an Alternative: Creative thinking is crucial. Work on connecting the particular sound bothering you with an unrelated image. For instance, try to picture someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. The goal is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. For example, if someone is eating noisily attempt copying the noise. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound doesn't change, your reaction of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
