Christmas Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old hopes for spending time with her relatives during the festive period, but says a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her noise-cancelling devices - especially during the holiday meal.
For her, Christmas can be a particularly difficult period as the noises of family members munching, drinking noisily and sniffling trigger extremely uncomfortable.
"I get this wave of instant dread, my entire being will just tighten and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to stop these triggers."
She has suffered from this condition for several years and for her that makes the holiday period "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, especially noises made by other people.
It is prevalent in the UK. Researchers reported nearly 20% people experience it.
Frequently it's noises connected to eating or drinking that cause distress, along with things like crunching, breathing, and foot tapping.
A Source of Dread
The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you want to avoid it.
"My relatives are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the supposedly joyous season can transform into a source of agony for affected individuals.
Noises 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 cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
Jenna, a 21-year-old student, who has struggled with misophonia from childhood, states currently her plan is to put her earphones in to cope. On any other day, she would frequently go in a separate space to escape problematic noises.
She explains her condition is worse around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"People assume you to spend time with family, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"I feel as if this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will kick in.
"To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Manage
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, according to specialists.
- Visualise Something Else: Mental imagery is crucial. Try to associate the triggering sound causing distress with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering 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 try copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. So if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not feeling well or are troubled. This approach is changing the meaning of the sound. While the sound doesn't change, your interpretation of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
