Yuletide Transforms Into a Living Hell for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.
One young woman is looking forward to being with her family over the holidays, but admits a primary method she'll cope is by wearing her earplugs - notably for the main festive feast.
In her case, the holidays often feels like a especially challenging period as the noises of family members munching, sipping loudly and breathing heavily trigger extremely uncomfortable.
"I get this sensation of sudden panic, my entire being will just tense up and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to manage these noises."
The individual has suffered from sound sensitivity for several years and for her that renders the festive season "deeply taxing".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, particularly those made by other people.
It's surprisingly common amongst adults. Experts found nearly 20% people suffer from it.
Typically it's noises associated with bodily functions that cause distress, as well as examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
A Source of Dread
She explains: "There are so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you fear it.
"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure everyone else is happy."
So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful season can rapidly become a stressful ordeal for sufferers.
Noises that may appear innocuous, like someone sipping a beverage, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a powerful reaction that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.
The student, a university student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity since aged 10, states currently her plan is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. Typically, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to avoid distressing triggers.
She notes her condition is more intense around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "challenging".
"There's an expectation to be around family, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"It's like this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then the stress response will activate.
"It may seem as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's hard to explain if you haven't felt it."
Three Ways to Manage
If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is crucial. Attempt to link the particular sound affecting you with something completely different. So for example, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a waterfall. The goal is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
- Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly try mimicking the sound. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an willing part. And the competition element should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is behaving that way. So if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not at their best or are troubled. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Although the noise remains identical, your interpretation of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
