Christmas Can Be a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.

A 23-year-old anticipates being with her relatives this Christmas, but admits a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by using her earplugs - particularly at the main festive feast.

For the 23-year-old, the holidays often feels like a especially challenging time as the sounds of family members munching, drinking noisily and breathing heavily cause her intense distress.

"I get this feeling of immediate anxiety, my every muscle will just tighten and it as though I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to manage these noises."

Lottie has suffered from misophonia since she was 16 and for her that renders the holiday period "deeply taxing".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to certain sounds, especially noises produced by other people.

The condition is widespread amongst adults. Researchers found nearly 20% people suffer from it.

Frequently it's sounds associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.

Triggering Stress

She explains: "I face so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you fear it.

"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee the event goes smoothly."

So it's clear why the supposedly joyous time of the year can transform into a stressful ordeal for affected individuals.

Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone sipping a beverage, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or enjoying festive food can trigger a powerful reaction that can even cause them avoiding social settings altogether.

She, a university student, who has experienced sound sensitivity for over a decade, explains currently her plan is to listen to music to manage the meal. Usually, she would often retreat in a quiet area to minimize distressing triggers.

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

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

"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then the stress response will kick in.

"To others it appears as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."

Several Strategies to Cope

For those affected then there are various strategies you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by specialists.

1. Imagine an Alternative: Creative thinking is essential. Work on connecting the specific noise causing distress with a neutral concept. For instance, try to envision someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
2. Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a competition involving the source. For example, if someone is eating noisily attempt copying the noise. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
3. Craft a Story: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. For example if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not feeling well or maybe they're upset. This approach is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the sound doesn't change, your interpretation of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.