Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
A 23-year-old is looking forward to being with her family over the holidays, but says a key strategy she'll endure is by using her hearing protection - notably for the main festive feast.
In her case, this time of year often feels like a especially challenging time as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, drinking noisily and nose-blowing make her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"There's this sensation of instant dread, my entire being will just freeze and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these noises."
The individual has lived with this condition since she was 16 and for her that causes the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, especially noises coming from other people.
It's surprisingly common in the UK. Experts discovered a significant portion of people are affected by it.
Frequently it's noises associated with eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, as well as examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
She explains: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you want to avoid it.
"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the most wonderful time of the year can quickly turn into a source of agony for sufferers.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or enjoying festive food can trigger a visceral feeling that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a university student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity from childhood, says currently her plan is to use headphones to get through dinner. On any other day, she would frequently go in a different room to escape triggering sounds.
She notes her condition is more intense around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"People assume you to socialize with family, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"The sensation is this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then panic will activate.
"To others it appears as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."
A Few Techniques to Manage
If you suffer then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by clinical psychologists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is key. Attempt to link the particular sound affecting you with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to picture someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you is neutral.
- Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the culprit. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt copying the noise. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Create a Scenario: A further strategy is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. So if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not at their best or are troubled. This approach is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the noise doesn't change, your interpretation of it shifts from being aggravating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.