Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman is looking forward to seeing her family over the holidays, but notes a primary method she'll cope is by wearing her hearing protection - especially during Christmas dinner.
In her case, Christmas is a notably tough period as the noises of family members munching, slurping and nose-blowing cause her intense distress.
"I experience this feeling of sudden panic, my whole body will just tighten and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these triggers."
The individual has experienced misophonia since she was 16 and for her that renders the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, particularly those produced by those around you.
The condition is widespread in the UK. Researchers discovered almost one in five people experience it.
Frequently it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that cause distress, including examples such as chewing, breathing, and pen clicking.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "You encounter so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy time of the year can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for affected individuals.
Triggers that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a powerful reaction that can even result in them skipping events entirely.
The student, a university student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity since aged 10, explains currently her plan is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Usually, she would frequently go in a quiet area to minimize triggering sounds.
She notes her condition is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to be around family, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"It's like this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, 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 difficult and dramatic, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Manage
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Mental imagery is crucial. Try to associate the triggering sound affecting you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to envision someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. For instance, if someone is crunching loudly attempt joining in. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Develop a Narrative: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person creating the sound is behaving that way. So if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not at their best or are troubled. This approach is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound remains identical, your reaction of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
