The Holiday Season Often Proves to Be a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.

Lottie is looking forward to being with her loved ones over the holidays, but says one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by relying on her earplugs - notably for Christmas dinner.

For the 23-year-old, Christmas often feels like a particularly difficult period as the auditory triggers of people eating, drinking noisily and breathing heavily cause her intense distress.

"There's this sensation of instant dread, my whole body will just tighten and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these noises."

The individual has experienced this condition from a young age and for her that causes the festive season "deeply taxing".

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

The condition is widespread in the UK. Experts found a significant portion of people are affected by it.

Often it's sounds connected to bodily functions that trigger a reaction, along with things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

Triggering Stress

Lottie says: "There are so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you want to avoid it.

"My family are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of enduring my distress to ensure the event goes smoothly."

So it's obvious why the most wonderful period can rapidly become a living nightmare for those with the condition.

Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone sipping a beverage, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can cause a visceral feeling that can even lead to them skipping events entirely.

She, a young adult, who has dealt with misophonia since aged 10, explains currently her plan is to use headphones to cope. Typically, she would often retreat in a separate space to avoid triggering sounds.

She explains her sensitivity is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "challenging".

"People assume you to be around family, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.

"The sensation is this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then the stress response will kick in.

"To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and dramatic, but it's difficult to convey without firsthand experience."

Several Strategies to Cope

For those affected then there are various strategies you can use to handle the situation, based on advice from specialists.

1. Visualise a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is essential. Try to associate the triggering sound causing distress with something completely different. So for example, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. This technique is to help your brain learn that the sound affecting you poses no threat.
2. Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the culprit. As an example, if someone is eating noisily try joining in. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help distract your brain and make you a little less affected.
3. Craft a Story: A further strategy is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was sniffing, maybe they are not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is re-framing the context of the sound. Although the sound doesn't change, your reaction of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.