The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
Lottie anticipates seeing her relatives during the festive period, but says a primary method she'll cope is by relying on her earplugs - particularly at the main festive feast.
For her, this time of year often feels like a notably tough period as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing cause her extremely uncomfortable.
"I experience this feeling of instant dread, my entire being will just tense up and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to stop these triggers."
Lottie has lived with sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that makes the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to particular auditory triggers, notably sounds produced by those around you.
The condition is widespread in the UK. A study reported almost one in five people suffer from it.
Often it's noises linked to bodily functions that trigger a reaction, including things like crunching, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
Triggering Stress
She explains: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you dread it.
"My family are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to guarantee 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 those with the condition.
Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can provoke a strong emotional response that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a university student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity for over a decade, explains the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. Typically, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to escape distressing triggers.
She explains her sensitivity is more pronounced around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"People assume you to be around loved ones, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then the stress response will kick in.
"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's hard to explain unless you've experienced it."
Several Strategies to Cope
For those affected then there are various strategies you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from experts.
- Visualise a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is key. Try to associate the specific noise causing distress with an unrelated image. So for example, try to envision someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the person. For instance, if someone is eating noisily attempt mimicking the sound. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
- Develop a Narrative: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person creating the sound is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. While the noise stays the same, your interpretation of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
