Christmas Often Proves to Be a Nightmare for Misophonia Sufferers.
One young woman hopes for seeing her family over the holidays, but says a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at Christmas dinner.
For her, Christmas is a notably tough season as the sounds of other people chewing, slurping and breathing heavily trigger profound anxiety.
"There's this wave of immediate anxiety, my whole body will just tense up and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these noises."
The individual has experienced misophonia for several years and for her that causes the holiday period "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, notably sounds produced by individuals.
It is prevalent amongst adults. Researchers reported a significant portion of people experience it.
Often it's sounds associated with bodily functions that cause distress, along with things like chewing, breathing, and pen clicking.
'Anxiety Inducing'
Lottie says: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.
"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to ensure others enjoy themselves."
So it's easy to understand why the traditionally happy time of the year can quickly turn into a source of agony for those with the condition.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a visceral feeling that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a young adult, who has struggled with misophonia from childhood, says her strategy is to listen to music to get through dinner. On any other day, she would frequently go in a different room to minimize distressing triggers.
She explains her sensitivity is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"There is pressure to socialize with family, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"It's like this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel stressed and immediately start crying and then fight-or-flight will take over.
"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."
Several Strategies to Cope
If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Picture an Alternative: Creative thinking is key. Attempt to link the triggering sound affecting you with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to envision 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 culprit. As an example, if someone is eating noisily attempt mimicking the sound. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an engaged person. And the competition element should help shift your attention and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone making the noise 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. This approach is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the sound doesn't change, your interpretation of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
