Yuletide Can Be a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.

Lottie anticipates spending time with her relatives this Christmas, but notes a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by using her earplugs - notably for the main festive feast.

For the 23-year-old, this time of year is a particularly difficult season as the sounds of other people chewing, drinking noisily and sniffling cause her profound anxiety.

"I experience this wave of instant dread, my every muscle will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these noises."

She has suffered from misophonia since she was 16 and for her that renders the Christmas time "exceptionally stressful".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, particularly those coming from other people.

It is prevalent amongst adults. A study discovered nearly 20% people experience it.

Often it's sounds associated with bodily functions that lead to discomfort, as well as things like crunching, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

She explains: "You encounter so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you fear it.

"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a internal conflict of sacrificing my own sanity to make sure everyone else is happy."

So it's obvious why the most wonderful time of the year can transform into a living nightmare for sufferers.

Sounds that may be considered normal, like someone drinking champagne, opening presents, or enjoying festive food can provoke a powerful reaction that can even cause them withdrawing from gatherings.

Jenna, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with misophonia from childhood, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to cope. Usually, she would frequently go in a quiet area to minimize triggering sounds.

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

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

"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then the stress response will activate.

"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."

Several Strategies to Manage

For those affected then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, as suggested by specialists.

1. Imagine Something Else: Mental imagery is key. Try to associate the particular sound causing distress with a neutral concept. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a sink draining water. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
2. Use Humor: Have a bit of fun and turn the annoying sound into a competition with the culprit. As an example, if someone is eating noisily have a go at joining in. Through participation, rather than 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 a little less affected.
3. Create a Scenario: A further strategy is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person creating the sound is having to make that sound. For example if someone was sniffing, it could be that they're not in good health or are troubled. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the noise doesn't change, your interpretation of it moves from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral about it.