Christmas Can Be a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.
A 23-year-old hopes for seeing her loved ones over the holidays, but notes one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her noise-cancelling devices - especially during Christmas dinner.
In her case, this time of year can be a particularly difficult time as the noises of people eating, sipping loudly and sniffling trigger intense distress.
"There's this wave of sudden panic, my whole body will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to stop these noises."
She has lived with misophonia for several years and for her that renders the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, particularly those made by individuals.
It is prevalent in the UK. A study found a significant portion of people experience it.
Frequently it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
She explains: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.
"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee everyone else is happy."
So it's clear why the supposedly joyous time of the year can transform into a source of agony for those with the condition.
Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a powerful reaction that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
The student, a university student, who has dealt with misophonia for over a decade, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. On any other day, she would often retreat in a separate space to escape problematic noises.
She says her misophonia is more intense around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"There is pressure to be around family, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"The sensation is this intense irritation washes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will activate.
"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Manage
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, according to specialists.
- Imagine Something Else: Creative thinking is essential. Attempt to link the specific noise bothering you with a neutral concept. So for example, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. The goal is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
- Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a game with the person. For instance, if someone is crunching loudly try joining in. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
- Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to invent a reason 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 maybe they're upset. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound remains identical, your interpretation of it changes from being aggravating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
