The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old is looking forward to spending time with her family over the holidays, but notes a primary method she'll endure is by using her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at the holiday meal.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year often feels like a especially challenging season as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, slurping and sniffling cause her intense distress.
"There's this feeling of instant dread, my entire being will just tense up and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to stop these triggers."
She has lived with misophonia for several years and for her that renders the festive season "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, particularly those produced by individuals.
The condition is widespread amongst adults. A study discovered a significant portion of people are affected by it.
Often it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, along with examples such as chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
She explains: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you dread it.
"My family are supportive, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to ensure everyone else is happy."
So it's obvious why the most wonderful period can quickly turn into a source of agony for those with the condition.
Triggers that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a powerful reaction that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a young adult, who has experienced misophonia from childhood, says her strategy is to listen to music to cope. Typically, she would often retreat in a quiet area to escape distressing triggers.
She explains her condition is worse around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "difficult".
"There is pressure to be around family, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then the stress response will kick in.
"To others it appears as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."
A Few Techniques to Cope
For those affected then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is key. Try to associate the specific noise causing distress with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. 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 challenge with the person. For example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at joining in. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Create a Scenario: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. So if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not at their best or maybe they're upset. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the noise doesn't change, your interpretation of it shifts from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
