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

One young woman is looking forward to being with her relatives this Christmas, but admits a primary method she'll endure is by relying on her hearing protection - especially during the main festive feast.

For the 23-year-old, the holidays often feels like a especially challenging period as the sounds of family members munching, slurping and nose-blowing make her feel profound anxiety.

"There's this sensation of immediate anxiety, my every muscle will just tense up and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to manage these noises."

The individual has experienced sound sensitivity from a young age and for her that renders the festive season "deeply taxing".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, especially noises produced by those around you.

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

Often it's noises connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that trigger a reaction, as well as examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

Lottie says: "There are so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you dread it.

"My family are understanding, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of enduring my distress to ensure the event goes smoothly."

So it's easy to understand why the supposedly joyous season can quickly turn into a living nightmare for affected individuals.

Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone sipping a beverage, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or enjoying festive food can cause a strong emotional response that can even result in them skipping events entirely.

The student, a young adult, who has struggled with misophonia for over a decade, states the approach she intends to use is to listen to music to cope. Usually, she would often retreat in a different room to escape distressing triggers.

She explains her condition is worse around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "difficult".

"People assume you to socialize with family, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.

"It's like this intense irritation comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and burst into tears and then panic will take over.

"To others it appears as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."

Three Ways to Cope

If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can attempt to manage the situation, according to specialists.

1. Imagine Something Else: Mental imagery is essential. Attempt to link the triggering sound causing distress with a neutral concept. For instance, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
2. Make it a Game: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a game involving the source. For example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt copying the noise. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an engaged person. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
3. Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is behaving that way. So if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.