Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.
Lottie anticipates being with her relatives during the festive period, but notes one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by using her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at the holiday meal.
For her, this time of year can be a particularly difficult time as the noises of other people chewing, sipping loudly and breathing heavily cause her profound anxiety.
"I get this wave of sudden panic, my whole body will just freeze and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these triggers."
She has experienced misophonia from a young age and for her that makes the holiday period "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to particular auditory triggers, particularly those produced by other people.
It's surprisingly common across the population. A study discovered almost one in five people experience it.
Frequently it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
A Source of Dread
She explains: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to ensure others enjoy themselves."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy period can rapidly become a stressful ordeal for affected individuals.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can provoke a strong emotional response that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a young adult, who has experienced sound sensitivity from childhood, says her strategy is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. Typically, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to minimize problematic noises.
She explains her sensitivity is worse around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "hard".
"There's an expectation to socialize with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"The sensation is this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will take over.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Manage
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, based on advice from specialists.
- Picture an Alternative: Imagination is key. Try to associate the particular sound causing distress with a neutral concept. So for example, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. The goal 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 game involving the source. For example, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at mimicking the sound. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an willing part. And the competition element should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or could be emotional. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your understanding of it shifts from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
