The Holiday Season Transforms Into a Living Hell for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.

A 23-year-old anticipates spending time with her loved ones this Christmas, but notes a primary method she'll cope is by relying on her earplugs - especially during the holiday meal.

In her case, this time of year can be a notably tough period as the sounds of other people chewing, slurping and breathing heavily make her feel extremely uncomfortable.

"I experience this sensation of immediate anxiety, my every muscle will just freeze and it as though I'm in peril, and I need to manage these noises."

Lottie has experienced this condition for several years and for her that causes the holiday period "deeply taxing".

Misophonia is a decreased threshold to certain sounds, especially noises produced by individuals.

It's surprisingly common amongst adults. Researchers discovered nearly 20% people experience it.

Frequently it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, along with examples such as chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.

Triggering Stress

The sufferer notes: "I face so many various auditory triggers at the holidays and that can be anxiety inducing and make you dread it.

"Those close to me are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of enduring my distress to make sure others enjoy themselves."

So it's obvious why the traditionally happy period can rapidly become a source of agony 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 cause a strong emotional response that can even result in them avoiding social settings altogether.

The student, a young adult, who has dealt with sound sensitivity from childhood, says currently her plan is to put her earphones in to get through dinner. On any other day, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to escape distressing triggers.

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

"There's an expectation to spend time with loved ones, and I wish to, but it's draining.

"The sensation is this sudden rage washes over me, which can feel awkward, or I'll feel panicked and begin to weep and then panic will kick in.

"It can come across as if I'm being oversensitive and melodramatic, but it's difficult to convey unless you've experienced it."

Three Ways to Manage

If you suffer then there are a few methods you can attempt to manage the situation, according to clinical psychologists.

1. Imagine an Alternative: Creative thinking is crucial. Work on connecting the triggering sound affecting you with something completely different. As an illustration, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a gentle stream. By doing this 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 competition with the person. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at copying the noise. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help distract your brain and make you a little less affected.
3. Create a Scenario: A further strategy is to try to invent a reason about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not in good health or maybe they're upset. By doing this is altering the perception of the sound. Although the noise remains identical, your understanding of it changes from being annoying, to feeling a little more neutral about it.