Christmas Can Be a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
A 23-year-old hopes for being with her family during the festive period, but says one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by using her hearing protection - particularly at the holiday meal.
For her, the holidays often feels like a particularly difficult season as the auditory triggers of family members munching, slurping and nose-blowing make her feel profound anxiety.
"There's this feeling of instant dread, my every muscle will just freeze and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these triggers."
She has lived with sound sensitivity from a young age and for her that makes the holiday period "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to certain sounds, particularly those made by those around you.
It's surprisingly common across the population. Experts reported a significant portion of people suffer from it.
Often it's noises associated with bodily functions that lead to discomfort, as well as things like crunching, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
The sufferer notes: "I face so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.
"My relatives are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee others enjoy themselves."
So it's obvious why the most wonderful season can transform into a source of agony for sufferers.
Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a powerful reaction that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a young adult, who has experienced sound sensitivity from childhood, explains currently her plan is to use headphones to get through dinner. Usually, she would frequently go in a quiet area to avoid distressing triggers.
She explains her misophonia is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to socialize with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"I feel as if this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and burst into tears and then fight-or-flight will kick in.
"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."
Several Strategies to Manage
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, as suggested by experts.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is crucial. Try to associate the specific noise bothering you with an unrelated image. For instance, try to envision someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a competition with the person. For example, if someone is crunching loudly try mimicking the sound. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to create a little story about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or maybe they're upset. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. While the noise doesn't change, your understanding of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
