The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.

Lottie is looking forward to seeing her loved ones over the holidays, but admits a key strategy she'll endure is by wearing her earplugs - particularly at the holiday meal.

For the 23-year-old, this time of year often feels like a particularly difficult season as the auditory triggers of family members munching, sipping loudly and sniffling cause her intense distress.

"I experience this feeling of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tighten and it feels like I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to stop these noises."

The individual has lived with misophonia for several years and for her that renders the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".

Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those produced by other people.

The condition is widespread in the UK. A study discovered a significant portion of people suffer from it.

Often it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that cause distress, along with examples such as crunching, breathing, and pen clicking.

Triggering Stress

Lottie says: "There are so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you want to avoid it.

"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a really big battle of enduring my distress to make sure others enjoy themselves."

So it's easy to understand why the traditionally happy period can rapidly become a source of agony for sufferers.

Sounds that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can trigger a powerful reaction that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether.

Jenna, a young adult, who has dealt with sound sensitivity from childhood, explains currently her plan is to listen to music to get through dinner. Usually, she would often retreat in a separate space to avoid triggering sounds.

She notes her misophonia is worse around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "difficult".

"There is pressure to socialize with loved ones, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.

"The sensation is this intense irritation takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then the stress response will kick in.

"It may seem as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."

Three Ways to Handle It

For those affected then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, based on advice from clinical psychologists.

1. Visualise a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound affecting you with something completely different. So for example, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you is neutral.
2. Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. For example, if someone is crunching loudly try mimicking the sound. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help distract your brain and make you somewhat less sensitive.
3. Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to create a little story about the reason someone creating the sound is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not feeling well or could be emotional. By doing this is re-framing the context of the sound. While the noise doesn't change, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.