Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Nightmare for Misophonia Sufferers.

A 23-year-old is looking forward to spending time with her family this Christmas, but says one of the only ways she'll cope is by relying on her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at the main festive feast.

For the 23-year-old, the holidays can be a especially challenging season as the noises of people eating, slurping and breathing heavily make her feel profound anxiety.

"There's this sensation of instant dread, my entire being will just freeze and it as though I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to manage these noises."

She has lived with sound sensitivity for several years and for her that renders the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, especially noises made by individuals.

It is prevalent in the UK. A study reported nearly 20% people suffer from it.

Frequently it's sounds connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, along with things like crunching, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.

'Anxiety Inducing'

Lottie says: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.

"My relatives are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a internal conflict of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure everyone else is happy."

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

Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can trigger a strong emotional response that can even cause them skipping events entirely.

She, a university student, who has experienced misophonia for over a decade, states currently her plan is to use headphones to cope. On any other day, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to escape problematic noises.

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

"People assume you to spend time with family, and I desire to, but it's exhausting on all levels.

"I feel as if this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and immediately start crying and then panic will activate.

"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."

Three Ways to Manage

If it's an issue then there are various strategies you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from clinical psychologists.

1. Imagine Something Else: Mental imagery is essential. Try to associate the specific noise bothering you with an unrelated image. For instance, try to picture 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: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the culprit. For example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at mimicking the sound. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the challenge should help distract your brain and make you a little less affected.
3. Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to invent a reason about the reason someone creating the sound is having to make that sound. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not feeling well or could be emotional. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. While the sound doesn't change, your reaction of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.