The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Nightmare for Those with Misophonia.

Lottie is looking forward to spending time with her loved ones during the festive period, but says one of the only ways she'll endure is by using her hearing protection - particularly at the holiday meal.

For her, Christmas often feels like a particularly difficult period as the auditory triggers of family members munching, drinking noisily and sniffling make her feel intense distress.

"There's this sensation of immediate anxiety, my whole body will just tighten and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these noises."

She has experienced this condition for several years and for her that causes the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".

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

The condition is widespread in the UK. A study discovered nearly 20% people experience it.

Typically it's noises linked to eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, as well as things like crunching, heavy breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

Lottie says: "There are so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you dread it.

"My family are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to make sure the event goes smoothly."

So it's clear why the traditionally happy period can transform into a stressful ordeal for affected individuals.

Sounds that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or eating the holiday meal can cause a powerful reaction that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.

The student, a young adult, who has experienced sound sensitivity from childhood, explains the approach she intends to use is to use headphones to manage the meal. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to avoid triggering sounds.

She explains her condition is more intense around people she's closest to, so the holidays is always "difficult".

"There is pressure to socialize with family, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.

"It's like this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then panic will activate.

"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's tough to describe without firsthand experience."

Several Strategies to Manage

For those affected then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, based on advice from specialists.

1. Picture Something Else: Imagination is essential. Work on connecting the triggering sound causing distress with something completely different. So for example, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a gentle stream. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
2. Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge involving the source. As an example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at copying the noise. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help distract your brain and make you slightly more tolerant.
3. Develop a Narrative: A further strategy is to try to fabricate an explanation about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. For example if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or maybe they're upset. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. While the noise stays the same, your understanding of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.