Yuletide Can Be a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman anticipates spending time with her loved ones over the holidays, but says a primary method she'll cope is by using her noise-cancelling devices - especially during the main festive feast.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year can be a notably tough period as the noises of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing trigger intense distress.
"I experience this wave of sudden panic, 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 suffered from sound sensitivity from a young age and for her that makes the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, notably sounds made by other people.
The condition is widespread across the population. Experts found almost one in five people are affected by it.
Often it's sounds associated with bodily functions that trigger a reaction, along with examples such as crunching, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
Lottie says: "I face so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to ensure others enjoy themselves."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy season can rapidly become a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can trigger a visceral feeling that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a young adult, who has struggled with sound sensitivity since aged 10, says her strategy is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Typically, she would often retreat in a quiet area to avoid distressing triggers.
She says her sensitivity is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "difficult".
"There's an expectation to spend time with family, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"I feel as if this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and burst into tears and then panic will activate.
"It may seem as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
A Few Techniques to Manage
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Picture an Alternative: Imagination is crucial. Attempt to link the specific noise bothering you with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you is neutral.
- Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a competition with the person. For example, if someone is eating noisily try joining in. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Create a Scenario: A further strategy is to try to create a little story about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. By doing this is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the noise doesn't change, your interpretation of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
