Christmas Transforms Into a Living Hell for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
Lottie anticipates spending time with her loved ones over the holidays, but says one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her noise-cancelling devices - notably for the main festive feast.
In her case, this time of year is a particularly difficult period as the noises of family members munching, slurping and sniffling trigger profound anxiety.
"I experience this sensation of instant dread, my every muscle will just freeze and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these sounds."
She has experienced sound sensitivity for several years and for her that renders the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those produced by those around you.
It is prevalent across the population. Researchers reported nearly 20% people suffer from it.
Typically it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that cause distress, along with things like chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
She explains: "I face so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you fear it.
"My family are understanding, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the traditionally happy season can transform into a source of agony for affected individuals.
Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone sipping a beverage, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a visceral feeling that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity since aged 10, says her strategy is to listen to music to get through dinner. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to avoid triggering sounds.
She explains her misophonia is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"People assume you to socialize with loved ones, and I desire to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"I feel as if this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will take over.
"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's tough to describe unless you've experienced it."
Three Ways to Handle It
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, according to experts.
- Picture Something Else: Mental imagery is crucial. Try to associate the triggering sound bothering you with something completely different. So for example, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Make it a Game: Introduce playfulness and turn the annoying sound into a game with the culprit. For instance, if someone is eating noisily have a go at copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to create a little story about why the person making the noise is doing it. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not feeling well or are troubled. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Even though the sound doesn't change, your interpretation of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
