Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
One young woman anticipates seeing her loved ones during the festive period, but notes one of the only ways she'll endure is by wearing her hearing protection - especially during the holiday meal.
For her, Christmas often feels like a especially challenging time as the auditory triggers of family members munching, drinking noisily and nose-blowing make her feel profound anxiety.
"I get this feeling of sudden panic, my entire being will just freeze and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these sounds."
She has experienced this condition for several years and for her that makes the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, especially noises coming from other people.
It's surprisingly common across the population. Researchers discovered a significant portion of people suffer from it.
Typically it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, including examples such as crunching, breathing, and foot tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
The sufferer notes: "There are so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.
"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a internal conflict of sacrificing my own sanity to ensure others enjoy themselves."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy season can quickly turn into a source of agony for those with the condition.
Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone sipping a beverage, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can cause a visceral feeling that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a university student, who has experienced sound sensitivity from childhood, says her strategy is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to avoid distressing triggers.
She notes her sensitivity is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"There's an expectation to be around loved ones, and I desire to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"It's like this uncontrollable anger comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and immediately start crying and then panic will take over.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."
A Few Techniques to Handle It
If it's an issue then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, according to experts.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is essential. Attempt to link the triggering sound bothering you with a neutral concept. So for example, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a game with the person. For instance, if someone is eating noisily have a go at joining in. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Create a Scenario: A further strategy is to try to create a little story about why the person creating the sound is doing it. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not in good health or could be emotional. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the sound doesn't change, your reaction of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
