Yuletide Can Be a Nightmare for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.

Lottie is looking forward to spending time with her relatives during the festive period, but admits a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by wearing her noise-cancelling devices - particularly at the main festive feast.

For the 23-year-old, Christmas can be a notably tough time as the auditory triggers of people eating, sipping loudly and sniffling cause her profound anxiety.

"I get this wave of instant dread, my whole body will just freeze and it seems as if I'm in a threatening situation, and I need to manage these noises."

She has suffered from misophonia since she was 16 and for her that renders the festive season "incredibly overwhelming".

Misophonia is an intense sensitivity to specific noises, particularly those made by those around you.

The condition is widespread in the UK. Experts found nearly 20% people experience it.

Typically it's sounds associated with mouth, throat or facial movements that cause distress, as well as things like chewing, heavy breathing, and pen clicking.

'Anxiety Inducing'

The sufferer notes: "There are so many various auditory triggers at Christmas 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 upset others. It's like a constant struggle of managing my symptoms to guarantee everyone else is happy."

So it's obvious why the most wonderful period can transform into a living nightmare for affected individuals.

Noises that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or enjoying festive food can cause a powerful reaction that can even cause them skipping events entirely.

Jenna, a university student, who has struggled with misophonia from childhood, states currently her plan is to listen to music to get through dinner. Typically, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to minimize triggering sounds.

She notes her misophonia is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".

"There is pressure to spend time with family, and I wish to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.

"I feel as if this uncontrollable anger comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and burst into tears and then panic will take over.

"It can come across as if I'm being unreasonable and overreacting, but it's difficult to convey if you haven't felt it."

A Few Techniques to Manage

For those affected then there are various strategies you can try to cope the situation, according to specialists.

1. Visualise a Different Scenario: Creative thinking is essential. Attempt to link the specific noise causing distress with an unrelated image. So for example, try to envision someone's noisy drinking is just a sink draining water. The goal is to retrain your mind that the sound affecting you is neutral.
2. Use Humor: Introduce playfulness and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the person. For example, if someone is eating noisily try joining in. By mimicking, instead of feeling like the sound is an attack, you become an active participant. And the challenge should help redirect your focus and make you somewhat less sensitive.
3. Create a Scenario: One more method is to try to invent a reason about why the person making the noise is having to make that sound. For example if someone was sniffing, perhaps they're not feeling well or maybe they're upset. By doing this is re-framing the context of the sound. While the noise stays the same, your interpretation of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a little more neutral about it.