Christmas Transforms Into a Nightmare for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old anticipates spending time with her family this Christmas, but says a primary method she'll endure is by relying on her earplugs - especially during Christmas dinner.
In her case, Christmas is a particularly difficult time as the sounds of family members munching, drinking noisily and breathing heavily make her feel profound anxiety.
"There's this wave of immediate anxiety, my entire being will just tense up and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to stop these noises."
The individual has suffered from sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that causes the holiday period "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to specific noises, notably sounds made by those around you.
It's surprisingly common across the population. Researchers reported nearly 20% people experience it.
Typically it's sounds connected to eating or drinking that cause distress, along with examples such as crunching, breathing, and foot tapping.
A Source of Dread
The sufferer notes: "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 understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of enduring my distress to ensure the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the most wonderful period can transform into a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can trigger a powerful reaction that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.
The student, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with misophonia from childhood, states the approach she intends to use is to use headphones to get through dinner. Usually, she would frequently go in a quiet area to escape triggering sounds.
She explains her condition is worse around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "difficult".
"There is pressure to spend time with loved ones, and I desire to, but it's draining.
"It's like this intense irritation washes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will take over.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's hard to explain if you haven't felt it."
A Few Techniques to Handle It
If you suffer then there are various strategies you can try to cope the situation, according to clinical psychologists.
- Picture an Alternative: Imagination is crucial. Attempt to link the particular sound affecting you with an unrelated image. As an illustration, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
- Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the person. As an example, if someone is eating noisily attempt mimicking the sound. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the challenge should help distract your brain and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Create a Scenario: A further strategy is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not feeling well or could be emotional. By doing this is re-framing the context of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your interpretation of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
