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

Lottie hopes for seeing her loved ones during the festive period, but says a primary method she'll cope is by relying on her hearing protection - especially during the holiday meal.

For her, the holidays often feels like a especially challenging time as the noises of other people chewing, sipping loudly and breathing heavily trigger profound anxiety.

"I experience this sensation of sudden panic, my whole body will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to manage these noises."

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

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, especially noises made by those around you.

It is prevalent amongst adults. Researchers discovered nearly 20% people are affected by it.

Often it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that cause distress, as well as things like crunching, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

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

"My family are supportive, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of enduring my distress to ensure everyone else is happy."

So it's obvious why the traditionally happy season can transform into a source of agony for those with the condition.

Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a powerful reaction that can even result in them skipping events entirely.

Jenna, a university student, who has experienced sound sensitivity since aged 10, states her strategy is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. On any other day, she would frequently go in a separate space to minimize problematic noises.

She explains her misophonia is worse around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "difficult".

"There is pressure to be around loved ones, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.

"It's like this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and burst into tears and then fight-or-flight will kick in.

"To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."

Several Strategies to Cope

If you suffer then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by experts.

1. Imagine Something Else: Imagination is essential. Work on connecting the particular sound affecting you with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
2. Use Humor: Introduce playfulness and turn the annoying sound into a game with the person. For instance, if someone is eating noisily have a go at joining in. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
3. Create a Scenario: Another technique is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is doing it. So if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not feeling well or maybe they're upset. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. While the noise stays the same, your understanding of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.