Christmas Can Be a Nightmare for Misophonia Sufferers.

Lottie anticipates being with her family over the holidays, but notes one of the only ways she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her hearing protection - especially during Christmas dinner.

For her, this time of year can be a notably tough season as the sounds of family members munching, sipping loudly and sniffling make her feel extremely uncomfortable.

"I get this sensation of sudden panic, my whole body will just tighten and it as though I'm in danger, and I need to somehow control these sounds."

Lottie has suffered from misophonia from a young age and for her that causes the holiday period "exceptionally stressful".

Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, especially noises produced by individuals.

The condition is widespread amongst adults. Researchers found almost one in five people experience it.

Frequently it's noises associated with bodily functions that trigger a reaction, along with things like crunching, breathing, and foot tapping.

Triggering Stress

Lottie says: "You encounter 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 conscious that I don't want to upset others. It's like a internal conflict of managing my symptoms to guarantee others enjoy themselves."

So it's clear why the most wonderful period can rapidly become a source of agony for those with the condition.

Sounds that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can cause a strong emotional response that can even result in them withdrawing from gatherings.

Jenna, a 21-year-old student, who has dealt with misophonia for over a decade, explains currently her plan is to use headphones to cope. Typically, she would usually isolate herself in a quiet area to escape problematic noises.

She says her sensitivity is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "challenging".

"There's an expectation to spend time with loved ones, and I desire to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.

"I feel as if this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel embarrassing, or I'll feel anxious and burst into tears and then fight-or-flight will take over.

"To others it appears as if I'm being oversensitive and overreacting, but it's hard to explain without firsthand experience."

Several Strategies to Cope

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

1. Imagine a Different Scenario: Mental imagery is crucial. Try to associate the triggering sound causing distress with a neutral concept. So for example, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. This technique is to teach your brain that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
2. Use Humor: Use lightheartedness and make the irritating noise into a game with the person. For example, if someone is crunching loudly have a go at mimicking the sound. Through participation, rather than feeling like the sound is being imposed on you, you become an engaged person. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you a little less affected.
3. Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to invent a reason about the reason someone making the noise is having to make that sound. So if someone was making a nasal sound, it could be that they're not at their best or could be emotional. The idea is altering the perception of the sound. Although the sound remains identical, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.