Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.

Lottie is looking forward to seeing her loved ones over the holidays, but says a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her hearing protection - particularly at the holiday meal.

For the 23-year-old, the holidays often feels like a notably tough season as the noises of people eating, slurping and breathing heavily trigger profound anxiety.

"There's this wave of immediate anxiety, my whole body will just tighten and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these noises."

Lottie has experienced this condition from a young age and for her that causes the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, notably sounds produced by other people.

It is prevalent across the population. Researchers discovered nearly 20% people are affected by it.

Frequently it's sounds linked to bodily functions that trigger a reaction, as well as examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.

Triggering Stress

She explains: "You encounter so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you dread it.

"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to ensure others enjoy themselves."

So it's easy to understand why the supposedly joyous season can rapidly become a source of agony for affected individuals.

Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or eating the holiday meal can cause a powerful reaction that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.

Jenna, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with misophonia for over a decade, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Typically, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to minimize problematic noises.

She notes her sensitivity is worse around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "difficult".

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

"It's like this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and burst into tears and then panic will activate.

"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's hard to explain without firsthand experience."

Several Strategies to Cope

If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can attempt to manage the situation, based on advice from experts.

1. Imagine a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is essential. Attempt to link the triggering sound bothering you with something completely different. 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. Make it a Game: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge involving the source. For example, if someone is eating noisily try joining in. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
3. Develop a Narrative: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person creating the sound is doing it. So if someone was making a nasal sound, perhaps they're not at their best or are troubled. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. While the sound doesn't change, your understanding of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.