Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
Lottie hopes for being with her family over the holidays, but notes a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her hearing protection - particularly at Christmas dinner.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year can be a particularly difficult period as the sounds of family members munching, slurping and nose-blowing trigger profound anxiety.
"There's this sensation of immediate anxiety, my whole body will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to manage these triggers."
She has lived with sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that makes the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those made by other people.
It is prevalent amongst adults. Researchers reported almost one in five people are affected by it.
Typically it's noises linked to eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, including things like chewing, breathing, and pen clicking.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "You encounter so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you fear it.
"My family are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure everyone else is happy."
So it's obvious why the supposedly joyous period can transform into a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Triggers that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a powerful reaction that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a university student, who has dealt with misophonia since aged 10, explains currently her plan is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. On any other day, she would frequently go in a different room to minimize triggering sounds.
She notes her condition is more intense around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There is pressure to spend time with family, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will activate.
"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Cope
For those affected then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by experts.
- Picture a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is key. Attempt to link the specific noise affecting you with something completely different. As an illustration, try to envision someone's slurping is just a waterfall. The goal is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a competition with the person. For example, if someone is eating noisily try copying the noise. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help distract your brain and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: A further strategy is to try to create a little story about why the person creating the sound is having to make that sound. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not feeling well or are troubled. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the sound remains identical, your reaction of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
