Yuletide Transforms Into a Nightmare for Those with Misophonia.
One young woman anticipates being with her loved ones this Christmas, but says a primary method she'll cope is by using her earplugs - particularly at Christmas dinner.
For her, the holidays is a notably tough season as the auditory triggers of people eating, slurping and breathing heavily cause her intense distress.
"There's this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tighten and it as though I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to stop these noises."
The individual has suffered from misophonia from a young age and for her that causes the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to certain sounds, especially noises coming from individuals.
The condition is widespread in the UK. Experts discovered nearly 20% people suffer from it.
Frequently it's noises linked to eating or drinking that cause distress, as well as things like chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.
A Source of Dread
She explains: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you dread it.
"My relatives are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to guarantee everyone else is happy."
So it's clear why the most wonderful time of the year can transform into a living nightmare for sufferers.
Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a visceral feeling that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a young adult, who has dealt with misophonia since aged 10, says her strategy is to use headphones to manage the meal. Usually, she would frequently go in a different room to escape problematic noises.
She explains her condition is more pronounced around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "hard".
"People assume you to spend time with family, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and burst into tears and then fight-or-flight will activate.
"To others it appears as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's hard to explain unless you've experienced it."
Three Ways to Cope
For those affected then there are various strategies you can try to cope the situation, according to clinical psychologists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Creative thinking is crucial. Work on connecting the particular sound bothering you with something completely different. So for example, try to picture someone's slurping is just a waterfall. The goal is to retrain your mind that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a game with the person. For instance, if someone is eating noisily attempt copying the noise. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an engaged person. And the competition element should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is doing it. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not feeling well or maybe they're upset. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. While the noise remains identical, your interpretation of it changes from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
