The Holiday Season Can Be a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
One young woman hopes for seeing her family this Christmas, but notes one of the only ways she'll endure is by using her earplugs - notably for the main festive feast.
In her case, the holidays often feels like a particularly difficult season as the noises of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing make her feel intense distress.
"There's this sensation of immediate anxiety, my every muscle will just tense up and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to stop these sounds."
The individual has experienced this condition for several years and for her that renders the holiday period "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, especially noises made by other people.
The condition is widespread across the population. A study reported almost one in five people experience it.
Typically it's sounds linked to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
Triggering Stress
The sufferer notes: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you fear it.
"My relatives are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to guarantee others enjoy themselves."
So it's obvious why the supposedly joyous season can transform into a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can provoke a strong emotional response that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a young adult, who has struggled with sound sensitivity for over a decade, states the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Typically, she would often retreat in a separate space to escape distressing triggers.
She notes her sensitivity is more intense around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"People assume you to be around family, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger washes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then fight-or-flight will take over.
"It may seem as if I'm being unreasonable and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."
Three Ways to Handle It
If you suffer then there are various strategies you can try to cope the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Imagine a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is essential. Try to associate the particular sound affecting you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a competition with the culprit. For instance, if someone is eating noisily have a go at mimicking the sound. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help distract your brain and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to create a little story about why the person creating the sound is behaving that way. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not at their best or maybe they're upset. By doing this is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound remains identical, your understanding of it moves from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
