The Holiday Season Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman is looking forward to being with her relatives over the holidays, but says a primary method she'll endure is by relying on her earplugs - particularly at the holiday meal.
For the 23-year-old, this time of year is a notably tough period as the auditory triggers of family members munching, sipping loudly and breathing heavily make her feel profound anxiety.
"I get this feeling of instant dread, my every muscle will just tense up and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to manage these triggers."
The individual has lived with this condition since she was 16 and for her that renders the holiday period "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a decreased threshold to specific noises, particularly those coming from individuals.
It is prevalent amongst adults. Experts found almost one in five people are affected by it.
Frequently it's sounds linked to bodily functions that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.
'Anxiety Inducing'
She explains: "There are so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you fear it.
"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful season can transform into a stressful ordeal for those with the condition.
Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a visceral feeling that can even lead to them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a young adult, who has experienced sound sensitivity since aged 10, states her strategy is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Usually, she would often retreat in a quiet area to avoid problematic noises.
She notes her misophonia is more intense around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "hard".
"There's an expectation to be around family, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.
"It's like this uncontrollable anger comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel stressed and burst into tears and then panic will kick in.
"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's hard to explain if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Handle It
For those affected then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by experts.
- Imagine a Different Scenario: Imagination is key. Try to associate the particular sound bothering you with something completely different. So for example, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you is neutral.
- Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the culprit. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly try copying the noise. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: One more method is to try to create a little story about the reason someone creating the sound is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not feeling well or could be emotional. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound stays the same, your reaction of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
