Christmas Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.

One young woman hopes for spending time with her loved ones during the festive period, but admits one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by using her noise-cancelling devices - notably for Christmas dinner.

For her, the holidays can be a particularly difficult time as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, slurping and sniffling cause her profound anxiety.

"There's this sensation of sudden panic, my entire being will just tense up and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these noises."

The individual has experienced sound sensitivity for several years and for her that makes the holiday period "deeply taxing".

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

It is prevalent across the population. Researchers found almost one in five people experience it.

Typically it's noises linked to bodily functions that trigger a reaction, along with things like crunching, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

A Source of Dread

The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you dread it.

"My family are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to upset others. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee everyone else is happy."

So it's obvious why the traditionally happy season can quickly turn into a source of agony for those with the condition.

Noises that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or enjoying festive food can trigger a powerful reaction that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.

She, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with sound sensitivity from childhood, states her strategy is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. Usually, she would frequently go in a quiet area to avoid problematic noises.

She notes her condition is more intense around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "challenging".

"People assume you to socialize with family, and I want to, but it's draining.

"The sensation is this uncontrollable anger washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then panic will kick in.

"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."

Several Strategies to Cope

If you suffer then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, according to clinical psychologists.

1. Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is crucial. Attempt to link the specific noise affecting you with an unrelated image. As an illustration, try to picture someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
2. Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a competition with the person. As an example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at mimicking the sound. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the competition element should help distract your brain and make you slightly more tolerant.
3. Develop a Narrative: One more method is to try to create a little story about the reason someone creating the sound is having to make that sound. So if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not at their best or are troubled. By doing this is altering the perception of the sound. Although the sound remains identical, your interpretation of it shifts from being aggravating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.