The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old is looking forward to seeing her relatives this Christmas, but says a primary method she'll cope is by relying on her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at Christmas dinner.
In her case, Christmas often feels like a especially challenging season as the sounds of other people chewing, drinking noisily and breathing heavily cause her profound anxiety.
"I get this feeling of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tighten and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to stop these noises."
Lottie has suffered from this condition for several years and for her that makes the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, particularly those produced by individuals.
It's surprisingly common across the population. Researchers found almost one in five people experience it.
Frequently it's noises connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, breathing, and pen clicking.
'Anxiety Inducing'
The sufferer notes: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.
"My family are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to make sure others enjoy themselves."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy period can transform into a source of agony for sufferers.
Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a powerful reaction that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a university student, who has struggled with misophonia for over a decade, says her strategy is to use headphones to cope. Usually, she would frequently go in a different room to escape triggering sounds.
She explains her condition is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"There is pressure to spend time with family, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"It's like this intense irritation washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then panic will kick in.
"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe unless you've experienced it."
Three Ways to Cope
For those affected then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, according to clinical psychologists.
- Imagine an Alternative: Imagination is essential. Try to associate the particular sound causing distress with an unrelated image. For instance, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Use Humor: Introduce playfulness and turn the annoying sound into a game with the person. For instance, if someone is eating noisily try copying the noise. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help shift your attention and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or are troubled. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. While the noise remains identical, your interpretation of it shifts from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
