Christmas Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman is looking forward to being with her loved ones over the holidays, but says a primary method she'll endure is by relying on her earplugs - particularly at the main festive feast.
For her, this time of year is a notably tough time as the sounds of family members munching, slurping and sniffling trigger extremely uncomfortable.
"There's this sensation of instant dread, my entire being will just freeze and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to manage these triggers."
The individual has suffered from this condition for several years and for her that renders the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to certain sounds, notably sounds coming from individuals.
It is prevalent amongst adults. Researchers discovered almost one in five people suffer from it.
Often it's sounds connected to eating or drinking that cause distress, including examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"My family are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure everyone else is happy."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy period can rapidly become a stressful ordeal for affected individuals.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a 21-year-old student, who has experienced sound sensitivity for over a decade, states her strategy is to use headphones to manage the meal. Usually, she would frequently go in a different room to minimize distressing triggers.
She says her sensitivity is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "hard".
"People assume you to spend time with loved ones, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"The sensation is this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will take over.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, but it's tough to describe unless you've experienced it."
A Few Techniques to Handle It
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, based on advice from experts.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is crucial. Attempt to link the triggering sound causing distress with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to picture someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Use Humor: Introduce playfulness and turn the annoying sound into a competition with the person. For instance, if someone is eating noisily attempt joining in. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the challenge should help distract your brain and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to invent a reason 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 could be emotional. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. While the sound stays the same, your interpretation of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
