Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman is looking forward to being with her family during the festive period, but says a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at the main festive feast.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year is a especially challenging period as the noises of people eating, slurping and breathing heavily trigger profound anxiety.
"There's this wave of immediate anxiety, my every muscle will just freeze and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to stop these noises."
The individual has experienced sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that renders the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, particularly those produced by individuals.
It's surprisingly common in the UK. Experts found nearly 20% people are affected by it.
Often it's noises connected to bodily functions that cause distress, along with things like crunching, breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
She explains: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.
"My relatives are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to guarantee others enjoy themselves."
So it's clear why the most wonderful time of the year can quickly turn into a living nightmare for those with the condition.
Triggers that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a strong emotional response that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a university student, who has experienced sound sensitivity from childhood, states currently her plan is to listen to music to manage the meal. Usually, she would often retreat in a different room to avoid problematic noises.
She explains her sensitivity is more pronounced around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "hard".
"People assume you to be around loved ones, and I desire to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"The sensation is this uncontrollable anger comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will activate.
"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's hard to explain if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Manage
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can attempt to manage the situation, according to experts.
- Visualise an Alternative: Mental imagery is crucial. Attempt to link the particular sound causing distress with an unrelated image. So for example, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you is neutral.
- Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge involving the source. As an example, if someone is eating noisily attempt joining in. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an engaged person. And the competition element should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to create a little story about why the person creating the sound is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not feeling well or could be emotional. This approach is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the noise stays the same, your reaction of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting towards it.
