The Holiday Season Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.

A 23-year-old is looking forward to seeing her loved ones over the holidays, but admits one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by using her noise-cancelling devices - notably for the main festive feast.

For her, Christmas often feels like a notably tough period as the auditory triggers of family members munching, slurping and breathing heavily cause her intense distress.

"I experience this wave of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to manage these triggers."

She has lived with misophonia from a young age and for her that renders the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".

Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to certain sounds, particularly those produced by those around you.

The condition is widespread in the UK. Experts reported a significant portion of people suffer from it.

Frequently it's sounds connected to mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, as well as examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.

'Anxiety Inducing'

She explains: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you want to avoid it.

"My family are supportive, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to ensure everyone else is happy."

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

Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can cause a powerful reaction that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.

Jenna, a young adult, who has experienced misophonia from childhood, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. On any other day, she would frequently go in a different room to avoid triggering sounds.

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

"There's an expectation to be around family, and I wish to, but it's exhausting on all levels.

"I feel as if this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and burst into tears and then fight-or-flight will activate.

"It can come across as if I'm being difficult and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."

A Few Techniques to Handle It

If it's an issue then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, according to clinical psychologists.

1. Imagine an Alternative: Creative thinking is essential. Attempt to link the triggering sound affecting you with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to envision someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
2. Use Humor: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a competition with the culprit. For instance, if someone is eating noisily attempt joining in. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
3. Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to invent a reason about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the noise stays the same, your understanding of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral about it.