Yuletide Can Be a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.

A 23-year-old anticipates being with her relatives over the holidays, but notes a key strategy she'll endure is by using her earplugs - notably for the holiday meal.

In her case, the holidays is a particularly difficult time as the noises of family members munching, slurping and nose-blowing cause her intense distress.

"There's this feeling of instant dread, my whole body will just tighten and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to somehow control these triggers."

The individual has lived with misophonia for several years and for her that causes the festive season "incredibly overwhelming".

Misophonia is a decreased threshold to specific noises, notably sounds coming from individuals.

It is prevalent in the UK. A study found nearly 20% people suffer from it.

Frequently it's noises connected to eating or drinking that cause distress, including things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

A Source of Dread

The sufferer notes: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you fear it.

"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very aware that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to guarantee others enjoy themselves."

So it's easy to understand why the traditionally happy season can transform into a living nightmare for those with the condition.

Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can provoke a powerful reaction that can even lead to them withdrawing from gatherings.

The student, a university student, who has experienced misophonia since aged 10, states her strategy is to use headphones to get through dinner. On any other day, she would usually isolate herself in a quiet area to avoid distressing triggers.

She notes her condition is more pronounced around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "hard".

"There is pressure to spend time with loved ones, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.

"The sensation is this sudden rage takes hold, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel anxious and begin to weep and then fight-or-flight will activate.

"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."

Three Ways to Cope

For those affected then there are some different techniques you can attempt to manage the situation, as suggested by experts.

1. Picture an Alternative: Imagination is essential. Try to associate the triggering sound causing distress with an unrelated image. For instance, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a waterfall. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you isn't harmful.
2. Try a Competition: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game with the culprit. As an example, if someone is eating noisily attempt joining in. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
3. Create a Scenario: Another technique is to try to create a little story about the reason someone making the noise is doing it. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not feeling well or are troubled. By doing this is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the sound doesn't change, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a slightly more compassionate about it.