The Holiday Season Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.
One young woman is looking forward to spending time with her family over the holidays, but notes a primary method she'll cope is by wearing her noise-cancelling devices - especially during Christmas dinner.
For her, this time of year often feels like a especially challenging time as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, drinking noisily and sniffling cause her intense distress.
"I get this feeling of sudden panic, my whole body will just tighten and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to stop these noises."
The individual has experienced misophonia from a young age and for her that renders the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to certain sounds, especially noises made by those around you.
The condition is widespread across the population. Researchers found almost one in five people experience it.
Frequently it's sounds linked to bodily functions that trigger a reaction, along with examples such as chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
The sufferer notes: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you fear it.
"My relatives are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to make sure everyone else is happy."
So it's clear why the supposedly joyous season can transform into a source of agony for sufferers.
Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can cause a powerful reaction that can even cause them skipping events entirely.
She, a 21-year-old student, who has experienced misophonia since aged 10, explains currently her plan is to put her earphones in to cope. On any other day, she would frequently go in a quiet area to escape problematic noises.
She explains her sensitivity is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to be around loved ones, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then panic will take over.
"To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's hard to explain without firsthand experience."
Three Ways to Manage
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from clinical psychologists.
- Imagine Something Else: Imagination is key. Attempt to link the triggering sound bothering you with something completely different. So for example, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Use Humor: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a game with the culprit. For example, if someone is crunching loudly try joining in. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an engaged person. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is having to make that sound. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not in good health or maybe they're upset. By doing this is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your interpretation of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
