Yuletide Often Proves to Be a Living Hell for Misophonia Sufferers.

One young woman anticipates spending time with her loved ones during the festive period, but admits a primary method she'll manage to get through it is by using her hearing protection - especially during the main festive feast.

For her, the holidays often feels like a especially challenging time as the noises of family members munching, drinking noisily and sniffling make her feel profound anxiety.

"There's this wave of sudden panic, my whole body will just freeze and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these triggers."

She has suffered from sound sensitivity for several years and for her that makes the festive season "incredibly overwhelming".

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

It's surprisingly common across the population. Experts reported nearly 20% people experience it.

Typically it's sounds associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that lead to discomfort, including examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and foot tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

She explains: "There are so many assorted problematic noises at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you fear it.

"Those close to me are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a really big battle of enduring my distress to make sure others enjoy themselves."

So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful period can rapidly become a source of agony for those with the condition.

Triggers that may appear innocuous, like someone sipping a beverage, opening presents, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a strong emotional response that can even cause them skipping events entirely.

The student, a university student, who has dealt with misophonia since aged 10, states currently her plan is to put her earphones in to manage the meal. Usually, she would frequently go in a different room to escape distressing triggers.

She explains her condition is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "challenging".

"People assume you to spend time with loved ones, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.

"The sensation is this intense irritation washes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then panic will take over.

"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's hard to explain if you haven't felt it."

A Few Techniques to Manage

If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by clinical psychologists.

1. Imagine an Alternative: Creative thinking is key. Try to associate the specific noise causing distress with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
2. Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a competition with the culprit. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly try mimicking the sound. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an engaged person. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
3. Craft a Story: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or are troubled. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the noise stays the same, your understanding of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.