The Holiday Season Can Be a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.

A 23-year-old is looking forward to seeing her family during the festive period, but says one of the only ways she'll cope is by relying on her hearing protection - particularly at the holiday meal.

For the 23-year-old, this time of year is a particularly difficult period as the noises of other people chewing, drinking noisily and breathing heavily trigger profound anxiety.

"I get this wave of sudden panic, my every muscle will just tighten and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these noises."

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

Misophonia is a decreased threshold to specific noises, especially noises produced by those around you.

It's surprisingly common across the population. A study found nearly 20% people are affected by it.

Often it's sounds associated with bodily functions that trigger a reaction, as well as things like chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.

'Anxiety Inducing'

Lottie says: "There are so many various auditory triggers at Christmas and that can be daunting and make you fear it.

"My family are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a constant struggle of sacrificing my own sanity to ensure others enjoy themselves."

So it's clear why the most wonderful period can rapidly become a stressful ordeal for those with the condition.

Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone drinking champagne, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a powerful reaction that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.

The student, a 21-year-old student, who has struggled with sound sensitivity for over a decade, explains the approach she intends to use is to use headphones to manage the meal. On any other day, she would frequently go in a different room to escape triggering sounds.

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

"There is pressure to be around family, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.

"I feel as if this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel stressed and burst into tears and then the stress response will activate.

"It may seem as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe unless you've experienced it."

Three Ways to Handle It

For those affected then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, based on advice from clinical psychologists.

1. Picture a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is key. Try to associate the specific noise affecting you with a neutral concept. For instance, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you is neutral.
2. Make it a Game: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the person. For example, if someone is eating noisily attempt joining in. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
3. Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to create a little story about the reason someone creating the sound is behaving that way. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not feeling well or could be emotional. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the noise doesn't change, your reaction of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.