The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.

One young woman is looking forward to being with her family over the holidays, but says one of the only ways she'll endure is by using her noise-cancelling devices - notably for the main festive feast.

For her, the holidays is a especially challenging season as the noises of other people chewing, drinking noisily and nose-blowing trigger profound anxiety.

"There's this feeling of instant dread, my whole body will just tense up and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these noises."

Lottie has experienced misophonia since she was 16 and for her that renders the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".

Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those coming from other people.

It's surprisingly common amongst adults. Researchers discovered a significant portion of people experience it.

Often it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, along with things like crunching, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

A Source of Dread

Lottie says: "There are so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.

"My family are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to make sure the event goes smoothly."

So it's clear why the supposedly joyous period can transform into a living nightmare for sufferers.

Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a powerful reaction that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.

Jenna, a university student, who has struggled with sound sensitivity from childhood, explains her strategy is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. On any other day, she would often retreat in a separate space to escape triggering sounds.

She says her sensitivity is more pronounced around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "challenging".

"There is pressure to socialize with loved ones, and I desire to, but it's exhausting on all levels.

"I feel as if this intense irritation comes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and burst into tears and then panic will take over.

"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."

Three Ways to Cope

If you suffer then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, as suggested by specialists.

1. Visualise a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is crucial. Try to associate the specific noise causing distress with something completely different. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you is neutral.
2. Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a competition involving the source. For example, if someone is eating noisily try copying the noise. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
3. Create a Scenario: Another technique is to try to create a little story about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. So if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not at their best or maybe they're upset. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. While the sound doesn't change, your understanding of it changes from being aggravating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.