Christmas Transforms Into a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
A 23-year-old is looking forward to spending time with her relatives this Christmas, but notes a key strategy she'll cope is by relying on her hearing protection - notably for Christmas dinner.
For her, this time of year is a especially challenging season as the noises of other people chewing, drinking noisily and breathing heavily make her feel profound anxiety.
"I experience this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just freeze and it as though I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these triggers."
The individual has experienced this condition for several years and for her that makes the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, particularly those made by individuals.
The condition is widespread in the UK. Researchers reported nearly 20% people are affected by it.
Frequently it's sounds connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that trigger a reaction, including examples such as chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
Triggering Stress
The sufferer notes: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.
"My family are supportive, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure others enjoy themselves."
So it's obvious why the most wonderful season can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for affected individuals.
Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone drinking champagne, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a powerful reaction that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity from childhood, says her strategy is to use headphones to get through dinner. On any other day, she would often retreat in a separate space to escape problematic noises.
She notes her condition is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "challenging".
"There is pressure to spend time with family, and I wish to, but it's draining.
"The sensation is this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and burst into tears and then the stress response will kick in.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Cope
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can attempt to manage the situation, according to specialists.
- Picture a Different Scenario: Creative thinking is key. Attempt to link the triggering sound bothering you with something completely different. For instance, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the culprit. For example, if someone is eating noisily attempt copying the noise. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Develop a Narrative: A further strategy is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or could be emotional. By doing this is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound doesn't change, your understanding of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
