Christmas Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
Lottie is looking forward to spending time with her relatives this Christmas, but notes a key strategy she'll cope is by wearing her earplugs - particularly at the main festive feast.
In her case, the holidays can be a notably tough season as the sounds of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing trigger profound anxiety.
"I experience this wave of instant dread, my entire being will just freeze and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these triggers."
Lottie has suffered from sound sensitivity since she was 16 and for her that makes the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those made by those around you.
The condition is widespread amongst adults. A study reported a significant portion of people are affected by it.
Often it's sounds linked to mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, as well as examples such as crunching, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.
A Source of Dread
She explains: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you fear it.
"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy time of the year can quickly turn into a living nightmare for affected individuals.
Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can cause a strong emotional response that can even result in them skipping events entirely.
Jenna, a 21-year-old student, who has experienced sound sensitivity for over a decade, states the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to cope. Usually, she would often retreat in a different room to escape problematic noises.
She explains her sensitivity is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to be around loved ones, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and immediately start crying and then the stress response will activate.
"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
A Few Techniques to Cope
If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from clinical psychologists.
- Imagine an Alternative: Creative thinking is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound bothering you with an unrelated image. So for example, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
- Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game with the culprit. For example, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at copying the noise. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help distract your brain and make you slightly more tolerant.
- Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to create a little story about why the person creating the sound is doing it. So if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not in good health or could be emotional. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the noise doesn't change, your interpretation of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.
