Yuletide Can Be a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman hopes for spending time with her loved ones this Christmas, but notes a primary method she'll cope is by relying on her hearing protection - notably for the main festive feast.
In her case, this time of year is a particularly difficult period as the sounds of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing cause her intense distress.
"I experience this feeling of sudden panic, my entire being will just freeze and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to manage these sounds."
The individual has suffered from misophonia since she was 16 and for her that renders the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those produced by individuals.
It is prevalent across the population. Researchers reported a significant portion of people suffer from it.
Often it's sounds connected to bodily functions that lead to discomfort, as well as things like crunching, breathing, and pen clicking.
'Anxiety Inducing'
She explains: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you fear it.
"My family are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to make sure the event goes smoothly."
So it's obvious why the traditionally happy time of the year can quickly turn into a source of agony for those with the condition.
Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a powerful reaction that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.
The student, a young adult, who has experienced sound sensitivity for over a decade, explains the approach she intends to use is to use headphones to cope. Usually, she would often retreat in a quiet area to minimize triggering sounds.
She says her sensitivity is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"People assume you to socialize with family, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this intense irritation comes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then the stress response will take over.
"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."
Several Strategies to Handle It
If it's an issue then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, according to experts.
- Imagine a Different Scenario: Imagination is essential. Try to associate the specific noise causing distress with something completely different. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the culprit. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at mimicking the sound. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the competition element should help distract your brain and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not feeling well or maybe they're upset. This approach is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the noise doesn't change, your interpretation of it shifts from being aggravating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
