The Holiday Season Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.

A 23-year-old is looking forward to seeing her relatives during the festive period, but says a primary method she'll endure is by wearing her earplugs - particularly at the holiday meal.

For her, the holidays can be a particularly difficult period as the noises of family members munching, drinking noisily and nose-blowing trigger extremely uncomfortable.

"There's this wave of immediate anxiety, my every muscle will just tighten and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to stop these sounds."

She has lived with sound sensitivity for several years and for her that makes the festive season "deeply taxing".

Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, particularly those coming from individuals.

It is prevalent amongst adults. Researchers reported a significant portion of people suffer from it.

Typically it's sounds connected to bodily functions that trigger a reaction, as well as examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

Lottie says: "You encounter so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you dread it.

"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure others enjoy themselves."

So it's clear why the most wonderful period can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for those with the condition.

Triggers that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a strong emotional response that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.

The student, a young adult, who has experienced sound sensitivity since aged 10, explains the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to cope. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a quiet area to avoid distressing triggers.

She explains her condition is more intense around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "difficult".

"People assume you to spend time with family, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.

"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then the stress response will kick in.

"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."

Several Strategies to Handle It

For those affected then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, according to experts.

1. Visualise Something Else: Mental imagery is key. Attempt to link the specific noise bothering you with a neutral concept. So for example, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
2. Try a Competition: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a competition with the culprit. For example, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at mimicking the sound. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
3. Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to create a little story about why the person creating the sound is doing it. So if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not at their best or are troubled. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the sound doesn't change, your understanding of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.