Christmas Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old hopes for seeing her loved ones over the holidays, but notes a key strategy she'll endure is by relying on her hearing protection - particularly at the main festive feast.
In her case, Christmas often feels like a particularly difficult time as the noises of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing make her feel intense distress.
"I experience this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just freeze and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to manage these sounds."
She has suffered from misophonia since she was 16 and for her that renders the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, especially noises produced by other people.
The condition is widespread amongst adults. Researchers reported almost one in five people are affected by it.
Typically it's sounds associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that trigger a reaction, as well as examples such as crunching, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
Triggering Stress
She explains: "There are so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you fear it.
"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure others enjoy themselves."
So it's easy to understand why the traditionally happy period can transform into a source of agony for affected individuals.
Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.
The student, a 21-year-old student, who has struggled with misophonia for over a decade, says her strategy is to put her earphones in to cope. Usually, she would frequently go in a separate space to escape triggering sounds.
She says her sensitivity is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"People assume you to spend time with family, and I desire to, but it's draining.
"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then panic will kick in.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Cope
If you suffer then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Imagine Something Else: Mental imagery is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound affecting you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. The goal is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
- Use Humor: Introduce playfulness and turn the annoying sound into a game with the person. For instance, if someone is eating noisily have a go at copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
- Develop a Narrative: One more method is to try to create a little story about the reason someone creating the sound is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not at their best or are troubled. This approach is re-framing the context of the sound. While the noise stays the same, your reaction of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
