The Holiday Season Can Be a Living Hell for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman hopes for being with her relatives this Christmas, but notes one of the only ways she'll cope is by using her hearing protection - particularly at Christmas dinner.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year is a notably tough season as the noises of other people chewing, drinking noisily and nose-blowing cause her extremely uncomfortable.
"I get this sensation of sudden panic, my whole body will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these noises."
The individual has suffered from misophonia from a young age and for her that causes the festive season "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, notably sounds produced by individuals.
It's surprisingly common in the UK. Experts reported a significant portion of people experience it.
Frequently it's sounds linked to bodily functions that trigger a reaction, as well as examples such as crunching, breathing, and foot tapping.
A Source of Dread
The sufferer notes: "I face so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you dread it.
"My relatives are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure everyone else is happy."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful period can rapidly become a source of agony for sufferers.
Triggers that may be considered normal, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can cause a powerful reaction that can even cause them skipping events entirely.
Jenna, a university student, who has experienced misophonia for over a decade, states the approach she intends to use is to listen to music to cope. Usually, she would frequently go in a quiet area to avoid triggering sounds.
She notes her condition is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"There's an expectation to socialize with loved ones, and I desire to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"The sensation is this intense irritation comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then fight-or-flight will kick in.
"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and overreacting, but it's tough to describe unless you've experienced it."
Several Strategies to Handle It
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, according to specialists.
- Imagine a Different Scenario: Imagination is crucial. Attempt to link the triggering sound bothering you with a neutral concept. So for example, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a waterfall. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a competition involving the source. For instance, if someone is crunching loudly try joining in. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: A further strategy is to try to create a little story about why the person making the noise is behaving that way. So if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not at their best or could be emotional. This approach is re-framing the context of the sound. Even though the noise doesn't change, your understanding of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
