Christmas Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.

One young woman hopes for seeing her family this Christmas, but says a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her noise-cancelling devices - notably for the main festive feast.

For the 23-year-old, Christmas is a especially challenging time as the sounds of other people chewing, sipping loudly and breathing heavily make her feel profound anxiety.

"I experience this wave of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tense up and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these noises."

The individual has suffered from this condition since she was 16 and for her that causes the festive season "exceptionally stressful".

Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to particular auditory triggers, especially noises coming from those around you.

It's surprisingly common amongst adults. A study discovered nearly 20% people experience it.

Often it's noises associated with bodily functions that cause distress, as well as examples such as crunching, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you want to avoid it.

"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to guarantee the event goes smoothly."

So it's clear why the most wonderful season can rapidly become a source of agony for sufferers.

Noises that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or enjoying festive food can provoke a visceral feeling that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.

Jenna, a young adult, who has dealt with misophonia for over a decade, explains currently her plan is to listen to music to get through dinner. Typically, she would often retreat in a quiet area to minimize triggering sounds.

She explains her sensitivity is more pronounced around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".

"There's an expectation to be around loved ones, and I desire to, but it's exhausting on all levels.

"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger washes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then fight-or-flight will kick in.

"To others it appears as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."

Several Strategies to Manage

If you suffer then there are various strategies you can try to cope the situation, according to clinical psychologists.

1. Visualise a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is essential. Attempt to link the particular sound affecting you with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you is neutral.
2. Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a competition with the person. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at joining in. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an willing part. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you slightly more tolerant.
3. Craft a Story: A further strategy is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. For example if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not in good health or maybe they're upset. The idea is changing the meaning of the sound. Although the sound remains identical, your reaction of it shifts from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.