Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman hopes for spending time with her loved ones during the festive period, but notes a key strategy she'll cope is by wearing her earplugs - particularly at Christmas dinner.
In her case, Christmas can be a particularly difficult period as the auditory triggers of family members munching, slurping and breathing heavily cause her profound anxiety.
"I get this feeling of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in danger, and I need to manage these sounds."
The individual has experienced sound sensitivity for several years and for her that makes the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, especially noises produced by individuals.
It's surprisingly common amongst adults. A study reported a significant portion of people experience it.
Frequently it's sounds linked to mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, along with things like chewing, breathing, and pen clicking.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "There are so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.
"My family are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a constant struggle of enduring my distress to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy time of the year can rapidly become a source of agony for those with the condition.
Sounds that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even lead to them skipping events entirely.
Jenna, a 21-year-old student, who has struggled with sound sensitivity since aged 10, says currently her plan is to listen to music to manage the meal. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to escape triggering sounds.
She notes her sensitivity is worse around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "difficult".
"People assume you to be around loved ones, and I desire to, but it's draining.
"I feel as if this intense irritation washes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then panic will take over.
"To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Cope
For those affected then there are some different techniques you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Visualise Something Else: Creative thinking is crucial. Work on connecting the particular sound bothering you with something completely different. For instance, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
- Try a Competition: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the culprit. For instance, if someone is crunching loudly try joining in. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. 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 why the person creating the sound is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not feeling well or could be emotional. By doing this is changing the meaning of the sound. While the sound stays the same, your understanding of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
