Christmas Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.

Lottie is looking forward to seeing her loved ones during the festive period, but notes a key strategy she'll cope is by using her noise-cancelling devices - notably for Christmas dinner.

For her, this time of year is a notably tough period as the noises of other people chewing, sipping loudly and sniffling cause her profound anxiety.

"I experience this feeling of instant dread, my entire being will just freeze and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to stop these triggers."

Lottie has suffered from misophonia for several years and for her that renders the festive season "deeply taxing".

Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, notably sounds coming from individuals.

It's surprisingly common amongst adults. Experts reported almost one in five people are affected by it.

Typically it's noises connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, as well as things like crunching, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.

Triggering Stress

Lottie says: "There are 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 really big battle of managing my symptoms to ensure everyone else is happy."

So it's obvious why the traditionally happy period can transform into a living nightmare for those with the condition.

Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a visceral feeling that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.

Jenna, a university student, who has experienced sound sensitivity since aged 10, explains the approach she intends to use is to listen to music to cope. Typically, she would frequently go in a different room to escape distressing triggers.

She explains her condition is worse around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "difficult".

"There's an expectation to be around family, and I wish to, but it's draining.

"The sensation is this intense irritation comes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and immediately start crying and then fight-or-flight will take over.

"It may seem as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's hard to explain without firsthand experience."

Three Ways to Manage

If you suffer then there are various strategies you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from experts.

1. Visualise Something Else: Creative thinking is essential. Work on connecting the triggering sound affecting you with an unrelated image. So for example, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
2. Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a game with the culprit. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at joining in. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help distract your brain and make you slightly more tolerant.
3. Create a Scenario: A further strategy is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is doing it. So if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or maybe they're upset. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. Although the sound doesn't change, your reaction of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.