The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.
A 23-year-old is looking forward to seeing her family this Christmas, but notes a key strategy she'll endure is by relying on her earplugs - especially during the holiday meal.
In her case, the holidays can be a particularly difficult period as the sounds of other people chewing, sipping loudly and sniffling cause her intense distress.
"There's this feeling of immediate anxiety, my every muscle will just tighten and it as though I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to manage these sounds."
The individual has experienced this condition since she was 16 and for her that causes the holiday period "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, notably sounds made by those around you.
It's surprisingly common in the UK. Experts discovered almost one in five people experience it.
Typically it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, breathing, and pen clicking.
'Anxiety Inducing'
She explains: "I face 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 supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a constant struggle of enduring my distress to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy time of the year can transform into a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone drinking champagne, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or eating the holiday meal can cause a visceral feeling that can even lead to them withdrawing from gatherings.
The student, a 21-year-old student, who has struggled with misophonia since aged 10, explains her strategy is to use headphones to get through dinner. On any other day, she would frequently go in a quiet area to minimize distressing triggers.
She explains her condition is more pronounced around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"There is pressure to spend time with family, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then the stress response will take over.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's hard to explain unless you've experienced it."
A Few Techniques to Cope
If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from experts.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is key. Attempt to link the specific noise bothering you with an unrelated image. For instance, try to envision someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. The goal is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game involving the source. For instance, if someone is eating noisily attempt mimicking the sound. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the competition element should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to invent a reason about the reason someone creating the sound is having to make that sound. So if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not in good health or maybe they're upset. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the sound remains identical, your interpretation of it moves from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
