The Holiday Season Often Proves to Be a Nightmare for Misophonia Sufferers.

One young woman anticipates being with her relatives this Christmas, but says a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her hearing protection - particularly at Christmas dinner.

For the 23-year-old, the holidays often feels like a notably tough season as the auditory triggers of people eating, sipping loudly and nose-blowing trigger intense distress.

"I experience this wave of instant dread, my entire being will just tense up and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to stop these sounds."

The individual has experienced this condition from a young age and for her that makes the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, especially noises coming from those around you.

The condition is widespread amongst adults. Researchers discovered nearly 20% people experience it.

Often it's sounds linked to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, including examples such as chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

Lottie says: "I face so many assorted problematic noises 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 upset others. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to ensure the event goes smoothly."

So it's obvious why the traditionally happy period can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for those with the condition.

Noises that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a powerful reaction that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.

She, a 21-year-old student, who has experienced misophonia since aged 10, explains her strategy is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. On any other day, she would frequently go in a quiet area to escape problematic noises.

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

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

"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then panic will take over.

"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's hard to explain if you haven't felt it."

Three Ways to Manage

If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by specialists.

1. Visualise a Different Scenario: Creative thinking is crucial. Try to associate the triggering sound bothering you with a neutral concept. So for example, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you is neutral.
2. Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a competition with the culprit. For example, if someone is eating noisily attempt mimicking the sound. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the competition element should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
3. Develop a Narrative: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is behaving that way. For example if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not at their best or could be emotional. By doing this is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the noise doesn't change, your understanding of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.