🔗 Share this article Christmas Transforms Into a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers. With time, sufferers develop ways to cope with their condition. Lottie is looking forward to being with her relatives over the holidays, but notes a key strategy she'll cope is by using her earplugs - particularly at the holiday meal. In her case, Christmas is a particularly difficult time as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing make her feel intense distress. "There's this sensation of instant dread, my entire being will just tighten and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these noises." The individual has lived with 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 coming from individuals. It is prevalent amongst adults. Experts reported a significant portion of people are affected by it. Typically it's sounds linked to mouth, throat or facial movements that trigger a reaction, along with things like chewing, breathing, and foot tapping. A Source of Dread She explains: "I face so many various auditory triggers 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 make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to make sure others enjoy themselves." So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful period can quickly turn into a source of agony for affected individuals. Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a powerful reaction that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether. Another individual is already thinking about strategies to help her during the family meal. Jenna, a young adult, who has struggled with sound sensitivity since aged 10, says her strategy is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Usually, she would frequently go in a quiet area to minimize distressing triggers. She says her misophonia is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "difficult". "People assume you to socialize with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's draining. "The sensation is this uncontrollable anger washes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then the stress response will kick in. "It may seem as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience." Three Ways to Manage For those affected then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, according to specialists. Visualise Something Else: Imagination is crucial. Try to associate the triggering sound bothering you with something completely different. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you isn't harmful. Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game with the person. For example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt mimicking the sound. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive. Craft a Story: One more method is to try to create a little story about why the person creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your reaction of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.
With time, sufferers develop ways to cope with their condition. Lottie is looking forward to being with her relatives over the holidays, but notes a key strategy she'll cope is by using her earplugs - particularly at the holiday meal. In her case, Christmas is a particularly difficult time as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, slurping and nose-blowing make her feel intense distress. "There's this sensation of instant dread, my entire being will just tighten and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these noises." The individual has lived with 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 coming from individuals. It is prevalent amongst adults. Experts reported a significant portion of people are affected by it. Typically it's sounds linked to mouth, throat or facial movements that trigger a reaction, along with things like chewing, breathing, and foot tapping. A Source of Dread She explains: "I face so many various auditory triggers 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 make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to make sure others enjoy themselves." So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful period can quickly turn into a source of agony for affected individuals. Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a powerful reaction that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether. Another individual is already thinking about strategies to help her during the family meal. Jenna, a young adult, who has struggled with sound sensitivity since aged 10, says her strategy is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Usually, she would frequently go in a quiet area to minimize distressing triggers. She says her misophonia is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "difficult". "People assume you to socialize with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's draining. "The sensation is this uncontrollable anger washes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then the stress response will kick in. "It may seem as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience." Three Ways to Manage For those affected then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, according to specialists. Visualise Something Else: Imagination is crucial. Try to associate the triggering sound bothering you with something completely different. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you isn't harmful. Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game with the person. For example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt mimicking the sound. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive. Craft a Story: One more method is to try to create a little story about why the person creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your reaction of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.