Christmas Can Be a Nightmare for Those with Misophonia.
A 23-year-old hopes for seeing her loved ones over the holidays, but says a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her noise-cancelling devices - notably for the holiday meal.
For the 23-year-old, Christmas is a particularly difficult time as the sounds of people eating, slurping and nose-blowing make her feel extremely uncomfortable.
"There's this wave of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to stop these noises."
She has experienced misophonia since she was 16 and for her that makes the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, notably sounds produced by those around you.
It is prevalent across the population. Experts found nearly 20% people experience it.
Typically it's sounds linked to bodily functions that trigger a reaction, along with things like chewing, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.
Triggering Stress
The sufferer notes: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.
"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy time of the year can rapidly become a stressful ordeal for those with the condition.
Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a powerful reaction that can even lead to them skipping events entirely.
Jenna, a young adult, who has dealt with misophonia for over a decade, states currently her plan is to listen to music to manage the meal. On any other day, she would frequently go in a quiet area to avoid triggering sounds.
She notes her misophonia is more intense around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to socialize with family, and I desire to, but it's draining.
"I feel as if this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and burst into tears and then the stress response will activate.
"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."
A Few Techniques to Cope
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, based on advice from specialists.
- Picture an Alternative: Mental imagery is key. Attempt to link the specific noise causing distress with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
- Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. As an example, if someone is eating noisily attempt joining in. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help distract your brain and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to invent a reason about why the person creating the sound is having to make that sound. For example if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not at their best or maybe they're upset. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. While the sound remains identical, your reaction of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
