Christmas Can Be a Nightmare for Misophonia Sufferers.

A 23-year-old is looking forward to seeing her family this Christmas, but admits a primary method she'll endure is by relying on her hearing protection - especially during the main festive feast.

For the 23-year-old, the holidays can be a notably tough time as the sounds of other people chewing, sipping loudly and nose-blowing make her feel intense distress.

"I experience this sensation of sudden panic, my entire being will just tighten and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to stop these noises."

The individual has experienced this condition since she was 16 and for her that causes the holiday period "deeply taxing".

Misophonia is a decreased threshold to particular auditory triggers, especially noises made by other people.

It is prevalent across the population. A study found a significant portion of people are affected by it.

Often it's noises linked to bodily functions that lead to discomfort, as well as examples such as chewing, breathing, and foot tapping.

A Source of Dread

The sufferer notes: "I face so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be anxiety inducing and make you want to avoid it.

"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of sacrificing my own sanity to guarantee everyone else is happy."

So it's easy to understand why the most wonderful period can quickly turn into a source of agony for affected individuals.

Sounds that may be considered normal, like someone sipping a beverage, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can trigger a visceral feeling that can even lead to them withdrawing from gatherings.

Jenna, a university student, who has struggled with misophonia since aged 10, says currently her plan is to use headphones to manage the meal. On any other day, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to avoid triggering sounds.

She says her misophonia is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".

"There's an expectation to socialize with family, and I want to, but it's draining.

"The sensation is this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will activate.

"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, but it's hard to explain if you haven't felt it."

A Few Techniques to Cope

For those affected then there are some different techniques you can use to handle the situation, according to clinical psychologists.

1. Picture Something Else: Mental imagery is essential. Try to associate the triggering sound affecting you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to envision someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. By doing this is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
2. Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a game with the person. As an example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at copying the noise. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an willing part. And the challenge should help distract your brain and make you slightly more tolerant.
3. Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is doing it. So if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not feeling well or could be emotional. By doing this is altering the perception of the sound. While the noise stays the same, your reaction of it shifts from being aggravating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.