Yuletide Transforms Into a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
Lottie hopes for being with her family over the holidays, but admits a key strategy she'll cope is by wearing her noise-cancelling devices - notably for the holiday meal.
For the 23-year-old, the holidays often feels like a particularly difficult season as the noises of people eating, slurping and nose-blowing cause her profound anxiety.
"I get this sensation of instant dread, my whole body will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to manage these triggers."
The individual has lived with misophonia for several years and for her that causes the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, particularly those produced by those around you.
The condition is widespread in the UK. Researchers found almost one in five people suffer from it.
Typically it's noises connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, including things like crunching, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
Lottie says: "You encounter so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.
"My relatives are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee the event goes smoothly."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful period can transform into a stressful ordeal for those with the condition.
Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a strong emotional response that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a university student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity since aged 10, explains currently her plan is to use headphones to cope. On any other day, she would frequently go in a quiet area to minimize distressing triggers.
She explains her condition is more intense around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"People assume you to spend time with family, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this intense irritation comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then the stress response will activate.
"To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and overreacting, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."
Several Strategies to Cope
If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from experts.
- Imagine a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is essential. Try to associate the particular sound affecting you with something completely different. For instance, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the culprit. For example, if someone is crunching loudly try joining in. By mimicking, rather than 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.
- Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not at their best or maybe they're upset. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. While the sound stays the same, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.