🔗 Share this article Christmas Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia. Through experience, people develop ways to cope with their sound sensitivity. One young woman hopes for being with her loved ones over the holidays, but notes a primary method she'll cope is by using her earplugs - particularly at Christmas dinner. For the 23-year-old, the holidays can be a especially challenging time as the noises of other people chewing, drinking noisily and nose-blowing trigger intense distress. "There's this sensation of immediate anxiety, my whole body will just freeze and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to manage these triggers." The individual has experienced this condition from a young age and for her that makes the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming". Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, especially noises produced by other people. It is prevalent across the population. A study discovered nearly 20% people experience it. Typically it's noises connected to bodily functions that cause distress, as well as things like crunching, breathing, and pen clicking. A Source of Dread The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it. "My family are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure the event goes smoothly." So it's clear why the most wonderful season can rapidly become a living nightmare for those with the condition. Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can provoke a strong emotional response that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings. Another individual is planning ways to get her through the family meal. Jenna, a university student, who has struggled with misophonia for over a decade, states the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a quiet area to avoid distressing triggers. She says her sensitivity is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "challenging". "There's an expectation to spend time with loved ones, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging. "The sensation is this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying 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 if you haven't felt it." A Few Techniques to Manage For those affected then there are various strategies you can use to handle the situation, according to clinical psychologists. Picture Something Else: Imagination is key. Try to associate the triggering sound causing distress with a neutral concept. For instance, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you is neutral. Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help distract your brain and make you somewhat less sensitive. Develop a Narrative: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is having to make that sound. So if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or are troubled. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the sound doesn't change, your reaction of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral about it.
Through experience, people develop ways to cope with their sound sensitivity. One young woman hopes for being with her loved ones over the holidays, but notes a primary method she'll cope is by using her earplugs - particularly at Christmas dinner. For the 23-year-old, the holidays can be a especially challenging time as the noises of other people chewing, drinking noisily and nose-blowing trigger intense distress. "There's this sensation of immediate anxiety, my whole body will just freeze and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to manage these triggers." The individual has experienced this condition from a young age and for her that makes the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming". Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, especially noises produced by other people. It is prevalent across the population. A study discovered nearly 20% people experience it. Typically it's noises connected to bodily functions that cause distress, as well as things like crunching, breathing, and pen clicking. A Source of Dread The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it. "My family are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure the event goes smoothly." So it's clear why the most wonderful season can rapidly become a living nightmare for those with the condition. Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can provoke a strong emotional response that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings. Another individual is planning ways to get her through the family meal. Jenna, a university student, who has struggled with misophonia for over a decade, states the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a quiet area to avoid distressing triggers. She says her sensitivity is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "challenging". "There's an expectation to spend time with loved ones, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging. "The sensation is this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying 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 if you haven't felt it." A Few Techniques to Manage For those affected then there are various strategies you can use to handle the situation, according to clinical psychologists. Picture Something Else: Imagination is key. Try to associate the triggering sound causing distress with a neutral concept. For instance, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you is neutral. Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help distract your brain and make you somewhat less sensitive. Develop a Narrative: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is having to make that sound. So if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or are troubled. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the sound doesn't change, your reaction of it changes from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral about it.