Yuletide Can Be a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
Lottie hopes for spending time with her loved ones during the festive period, but says a primary method she'll endure is by using her earplugs - especially during Christmas dinner.
For her, the holidays is a notably tough season as the sounds of people eating, sipping loudly and sniffling cause her intense distress.
"I experience this feeling of sudden panic, my whole body will just freeze and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to manage these triggers."
She has suffered from this condition since she was 16 and for her that renders the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to specific noises, particularly those made by other people.
The condition is widespread across the population. Researchers found nearly 20% people suffer from it.
Often it's noises connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that trigger a reaction, including things like chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
Triggering Stress
Lottie says: "There are so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.
"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to make sure others enjoy themselves."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful time of the year can transform into a source of agony for sufferers.
Noises that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a visceral feeling that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.
She, a 21-year-old student, who has experienced misophonia for over a decade, explains the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Typically, she would often retreat in a different room to minimize distressing triggers.
She notes her sensitivity is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "hard".
"There is pressure to be around loved ones, and I desire to, but it's draining.
"The sensation is this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then fight-or-flight will take over.
"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's hard to explain without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Manage
If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, according to specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is essential. Work on connecting the triggering sound affecting you with an unrelated image. For instance, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a competition with the person. For instance, if someone is eating noisily attempt copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an engaged person. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: A further strategy is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. For example if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your interpretation of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
