The Holiday Season Often Proves to Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.

A 23-year-old hopes for being with her family over the holidays, but says one of the only ways she'll endure is by relying on her earplugs - notably for the main festive feast.

In her case, Christmas is a especially challenging season as the noises of family members munching, drinking noisily and sniffling make her feel extremely uncomfortable.

"There's this feeling of instant dread, my every muscle will just tighten and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to manage these noises."

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

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

It's surprisingly common amongst adults. Researchers found a significant portion of people experience it.

Often it's sounds linked to eating or drinking that cause distress, including examples such as crunching, breathing, and foot tapping.

Triggering Stress

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

"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to guarantee the event goes smoothly."

So it's clear why the traditionally happy time of the year can rapidly become a source of agony for those with the condition.

Noises that may be considered normal, like someone sipping a beverage, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can trigger a visceral feeling that can even cause them skipping events entirely.

Jenna, a young adult, who has struggled with sound sensitivity from childhood, explains currently her plan is to put her earphones in to cope. Usually, she would often retreat in a different room to minimize distressing triggers.

She notes her condition is more pronounced around people she's most familiar with, so the holidays is always "difficult".

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

"I feel as if this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and begin to weep and then panic will kick in.

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

Several Strategies to Cope

For those affected then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, according to specialists.

1. Visualise an Alternative: Imagination is essential. Attempt to link the specific noise bothering you with something completely different. For instance, try to picture someone's slurping is just a waterfall. The goal is to help your brain learn that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
2. Use Humor: Introduce playfulness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge involving the source. For instance, if someone is crunching loudly try joining in. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an willing part. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you slightly more tolerant.
3. Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to invent a reason about why the person creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not in good health or are troubled. By doing this is changing the meaning of the sound. Even though the sound stays the same, your understanding of it shifts from being aggravating, to feeling a little more neutral towards it.