The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
A 23-year-old hopes for seeing her loved ones over the holidays, but says a primary method she'll cope is by using her noise-cancelling devices - especially during Christmas dinner.
For her, the holidays can be a notably tough season as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, drinking noisily and sniffling make her feel profound anxiety.
"I experience this feeling of immediate anxiety, my every muscle will just freeze and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these sounds."
The individual has lived with sound sensitivity for several years and for her that makes the Christmas time "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to particular auditory triggers, notably sounds produced by individuals.
The condition is widespread in the UK. A study reported almost one in five people are affected by it.
Typically it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, along with things like chewing, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
She explains: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you dread it.
"My family are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the supposedly joyous period can quickly turn into a living nightmare for affected individuals.
Sounds that may be considered normal, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a strong emotional response that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.
The student, a university student, who has experienced misophonia from childhood, says the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. On any other day, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to minimize problematic noises.
She notes her condition is worse around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "hard".
"There is pressure to be around family, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and immediately start crying and then panic will activate.
"To others it appears as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe unless you've experienced it."
Several Strategies to Cope
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Visualise Something Else: Mental imagery is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound causing distress with something completely different. So for example, try to picture someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game with the person. For example, if someone is eating noisily attempt copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an engaged person. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. So if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. While the sound remains identical, your understanding of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
