The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Living Hell for Those with Misophonia.

One young woman anticipates seeing her family this Christmas, but admits a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her earplugs - particularly at the holiday meal.

In her case, Christmas often feels like a particularly difficult period as the auditory triggers of family members munching, slurping and breathing heavily trigger intense distress.

"There's this feeling of instant dread, my whole body will just tighten and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to manage these noises."

The individual has suffered from misophonia for several years and for her that makes the festive season "incredibly overwhelming".

Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, notably sounds made by those around you.

It's surprisingly common in the UK. Researchers discovered a significant portion of people are affected by it.

Frequently it's sounds associated with bodily functions that lead to discomfort, including things like crunching, breathing, and pen clicking.

'Anxiety Inducing'

Lottie says: "I face so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you fear it.

"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to guarantee the event goes smoothly."

So it's clear why the traditionally happy time of the year can transform into a living nightmare for affected individuals.

Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a powerful reaction that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.

The student, a 21-year-old student, who has struggled with misophonia from childhood, states her strategy is to use headphones to manage the meal. Typically, she would frequently go in a different room to minimize problematic noises.

She explains her condition is more pronounced around people she's most familiar with, so Christmas is always "hard".

"There is pressure to spend time with family, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.

"I feel as if this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then panic will kick in.

"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe unless you've experienced it."

Three Ways to Manage

If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from specialists.

1. Picture an Alternative: Mental imagery is crucial. Attempt to link the triggering sound causing distress with an unrelated image. For instance, try to picture someone's slurping is just a waterfall. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
2. Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt mimicking the sound. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
3. Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone making the noise is doing it. So if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not in good health or are troubled. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Although the noise remains identical, your reaction of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.