Christmas Can Be a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
Lottie is looking forward to being with her loved ones during the festive period, but says a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by using her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at the main festive feast.
For her, this time of year is a notably tough time as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, sipping loudly and nose-blowing cause her profound anxiety.
"There's this wave of sudden panic, my whole body will just tighten and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to manage these noises."
Lottie has lived with sound sensitivity from a young age and for her that causes the holiday period "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to particular auditory triggers, especially noises coming from other people.
The condition is widespread in the UK. Researchers discovered nearly 20% people experience it.
Frequently it's sounds associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that trigger a reaction, as well as examples such as crunching, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.
"My relatives are supportive, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the most wonderful period can rapidly become a living nightmare for sufferers.
Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can cause a powerful reaction that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity for over a decade, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to minimize problematic noises.
She notes her sensitivity is more pronounced around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There is pressure to be around family, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"The sensation is this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then panic will kick in.
"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's tough to describe unless you've experienced it."
Three Ways to Manage
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by experts.
- Visualise Something Else: Creative thinking is crucial. Try to associate the triggering sound causing distress with something completely different. So for example, try to envision someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Introduce playfulness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. For instance, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at joining in. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an engaged person. And the challenge should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to invent a reason about why the person creating the sound is doing it. For example if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not in good health or are troubled. This approach is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the noise doesn't change, your understanding of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
