Christmas Can Be a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.
A 23-year-old hopes for spending time with her family during the festive period, but admits a key strategy she'll endure is by wearing her earplugs - notably for the main festive feast.
For the 23-year-old, Christmas often feels like a notably tough time as the sounds of people eating, slurping and nose-blowing cause her profound anxiety.
"There's this feeling of immediate anxiety, my entire being will just tense up and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these triggers."
She has experienced this condition since she was 16 and for her that renders the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, notably sounds made by individuals.
It is prevalent across the population. A study found nearly 20% people experience it.
Often it's noises linked to bodily functions that cause distress, as well as examples such as crunching, breathing, and pen clicking.
'Anxiety Inducing'
She explains: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of enduring my distress to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the supposedly joyous time of the year can rapidly become a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can cause a strong emotional response that can even cause them skipping events entirely.
The student, a 21-year-old student, who has experienced misophonia since aged 10, states currently her plan is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Typically, she would often retreat in a quiet area to minimize triggering sounds.
She says her misophonia is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"People assume you to socialize with family, and I desire to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"I feel as if this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then the stress response will kick in.
"To others it appears as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's hard to explain without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Manage
If it's an issue then there are various strategies you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Picture an Alternative: Mental imagery is crucial. Attempt to link the triggering sound causing distress with something completely different. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game with the culprit. For instance, if someone is eating noisily have a go at mimicking the sound. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Create a Scenario: Another technique is to try to invent a reason about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not feeling well or maybe they're upset. This approach is re-framing the context of the sound. Even though the sound doesn't change, your interpretation of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
