🔗 Share this article Yuletide Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity. Over the years, people have found methods to cope with their condition. A 23-year-old anticipates being with her family during the festive period, but notes a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her hearing protection - particularly at the main festive feast. In her case, the holidays is a notably tough period as the noises of family members munching, drinking noisily and breathing heavily make her feel intense distress. "There's this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in danger, and I need to manage these triggers." She has experienced sound sensitivity from a young age and for her that renders the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming". Misophonia is a decreased threshold to specific noises, notably sounds made by other people. It's surprisingly common across the population. Researchers found almost one in five people experience it. Often it's noises linked to mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, as well as examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking. Triggering Stress Lottie says: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you dread it. "Those close to me are aware, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to guarantee everyone else is happy." So it's obvious why the most wonderful time of the year can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for affected individuals. Noises that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether. Jenna is considering ways to manage the family meal. The student, a young adult, who has dealt with sound sensitivity from childhood, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. Usually, she would often retreat in a quiet area to minimize distressing triggers. She says her misophonia is more intense around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "challenging". "There's an expectation to spend time with family, and I want to, but it's draining. "The sensation is this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then the stress response will take over. "To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's hard to explain without firsthand experience." Three Ways to Cope For those affected then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by experts. Picture a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is essential. Try to associate the specific noise affecting you with something completely different. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. The goal is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you isn't harmful. Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge involving the source. For example, if someone is crunching loudly try mimicking the sound. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive. Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not feeling well or are troubled. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the noise remains identical, your reaction of it moves from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.
Over the years, people have found methods to cope with their condition. A 23-year-old anticipates being with her family during the festive period, but notes a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her hearing protection - particularly at the main festive feast. In her case, the holidays is a notably tough period as the noises of family members munching, drinking noisily and breathing heavily make her feel intense distress. "There's this sensation of sudden panic, my every muscle will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in danger, and I need to manage these triggers." She has experienced sound sensitivity from a young age and for her that renders the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming". Misophonia is a decreased threshold to specific noises, notably sounds made by other people. It's surprisingly common across the population. Researchers found almost one in five people experience it. Often it's noises linked to mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, as well as examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking. Triggering Stress Lottie says: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you dread it. "Those close to me are aware, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to guarantee everyone else is happy." So it's obvious why the most wonderful time of the year can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for affected individuals. Noises that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether. Jenna is considering ways to manage the family meal. The student, a young adult, who has dealt with sound sensitivity from childhood, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. Usually, she would often retreat in a quiet area to minimize distressing triggers. She says her misophonia is more intense around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "challenging". "There's an expectation to spend time with family, and I want to, but it's draining. "The sensation is this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then the stress response will take over. "To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's hard to explain without firsthand experience." Three Ways to Cope For those affected then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by experts. Picture a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is essential. Try to associate the specific noise affecting you with something completely different. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. The goal is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you isn't harmful. Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge involving the source. For example, if someone is crunching loudly try mimicking the sound. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive. Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not feeling well or are troubled. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the noise remains identical, your reaction of it moves from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.