The Holiday Season Can Be a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.

Lottie anticipates spending time with her family during the festive period, but admits a primary method she'll cope is by relying on her noise-cancelling devices - especially during the holiday meal.

In her case, Christmas often feels like a especially challenging period as the sounds of family members munching, drinking noisily and breathing heavily cause her profound anxiety.

"There's this wave of sudden panic, my every muscle will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in danger, and I need to manage these noises."

She has lived with misophonia since she was 16 and for her that causes the festive season "deeply taxing".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, particularly those produced by individuals.

It's surprisingly common amongst adults. Researchers found nearly 20% people experience it.

Typically it's sounds associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, as well as things like crunching, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

The sufferer notes: "I face so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you want to avoid it.

"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to guarantee others enjoy themselves."

So it's easy to understand why the traditionally happy season can transform into a source of agony for affected individuals.

Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can cause a powerful reaction that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.

She, a young adult, who has dealt with sound sensitivity since aged 10, says currently her plan is to use headphones to get through dinner. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to escape triggering sounds.

She says her sensitivity is more intense around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "challenging".

"There is pressure to socialize with loved ones, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.

"I feel as if this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and burst into tears and then the stress response will kick in.

"To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's hard to explain without firsthand experience."

Three Ways to Handle It

If it's an issue then there are some different techniques you can try to cope the situation, based on advice from clinical psychologists.

1. Visualise an Alternative: Mental imagery is key. Work on connecting the particular sound causing distress with something completely different. So for example, 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. Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a game with the culprit. For example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at joining in. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help distract your brain and make you a little less affected.
3. Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is doing it. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not at their best or are troubled. This approach is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the noise remains identical, your understanding of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.