Yuletide Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Those with Misophonia.

One young woman is looking forward to being with her relatives over the holidays, but notes one of the only ways she'll cope is by wearing her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at the holiday meal.

In her case, this time of year often feels like a especially challenging season as the auditory triggers of people eating, slurping and sniffling cause her extremely uncomfortable.

"I get this sensation of sudden panic, my whole body will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in peril, and I need to stop these sounds."

The individual has experienced sound sensitivity for several years and for her that makes the Christmas time "incredibly overwhelming".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, particularly those made by those around you.

It's surprisingly common across the population. A study found almost one in five people suffer from it.

Typically it's noises connected to eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, as well as things like crunching, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

Lottie says: "I face so many assorted problematic noises at the holidays and that can be stressful and make you dread it.

"My relatives are aware, but I'm very conscious that I don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable. It's like a really big battle of enduring my distress to guarantee the event goes smoothly."

So it's clear why the most wonderful season can transform into a stressful ordeal for those with the condition.

Sounds that may appear innocuous, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can trigger a visceral feeling that can even lead to them skipping events entirely.

Jenna, a young adult, who has dealt with misophonia from childhood, explains her strategy is to put her earphones in to cope. On any other day, she would frequently go in a quiet area to escape problematic noises.

She explains her misophonia is more pronounced around people she's closest to, so Christmas is always "challenging".

"There is pressure to socialize with family, and I wish to, but it's draining.

"It's like this uncontrollable anger takes hold, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel anxious and immediately start crying and then panic will take over.

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

A Few Techniques to Handle It

If you suffer then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, according to experts.

1. Picture Something Else: Imagination is key. Try to associate the specific noise bothering you with something completely different. So for example, try to imagine someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. This technique is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
2. Make it a Game: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the person. For example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt joining in. By joining in, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
3. Craft a Story: One more method is to try to invent a reason about the reason someone creating the sound is doing it. So if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not in good health or could be emotional. By doing this is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the sound remains identical, your reaction of it moves from being aggravating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.