The Holiday Season Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.

Lottie is looking forward to spending time with her relatives during the festive period, but notes one of the only ways she'll cope is by relying on her earplugs - notably for the main festive feast.

For her, this time of year can be a notably tough time as the sounds of people eating, slurping and breathing heavily trigger intense distress.

"I get this sensation of sudden panic, my whole body will just freeze and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these sounds."

The individual has experienced sound sensitivity from a young age and for her that renders the festive season "incredibly overwhelming".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to particular auditory triggers, particularly those made by other people.

It is prevalent amongst adults. A study discovered nearly 20% people are affected by it.

Typically it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that lead to discomfort, including things like chewing, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.

A Source of Dread

The sufferer notes: "There are so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.

"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to make sure others enjoy themselves."

So it's clear why the most wonderful period can quickly turn into a stressful ordeal for those with the condition.

Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can cause a strong emotional response that can even cause them skipping events entirely.

Jenna, a university student, who has dealt with misophonia from childhood, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to minimize triggering sounds.

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

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

"I feel as if this intense irritation comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and immediately start crying and then panic will kick in.

"To others it appears as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."

Several Strategies to Handle It

For those affected then there are various strategies you can try to cope the situation, according to clinical psychologists.

1. Imagine an Alternative: Mental imagery is essential. Try to associate the particular sound affecting you with something completely different. For instance, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
2. Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at copying the noise. Through participation, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an active participant. And the competition element should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
3. Develop a Narrative: A further strategy is to try to invent a reason about why the person creating the sound is behaving that way. So if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. While the sound stays the same, your reaction of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.