Yuletide Transforms Into a Living Hell for Individuals Living with Sound Sensitivity.

One young woman is looking forward to spending time with her loved ones this Christmas, but admits a primary method she'll endure is by using her noise-cancelling devices - notably for Christmas dinner.

For her, the holidays often feels like a notably tough time as the auditory triggers of other people chewing, slurping and breathing heavily cause her intense distress.

"I get this feeling of immediate anxiety, my whole body will just freeze and it feels like I'm in peril, and I need to somehow control these sounds."

She has suffered from this condition for several years and for her that makes the holiday period "incredibly overwhelming".

Misophonia is a decreased threshold to certain sounds, especially noises coming from those around you.

The condition is widespread in the UK. Experts reported almost one in five people suffer from it.

Typically it's sounds linked to bodily functions that lead to discomfort, along with things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.

'Anxiety Inducing'

The sufferer notes: "You encounter so many different triggering sounds at Christmas and that can be stressful and make you dread it.

"My relatives are understanding, but I'm very mindful that I don't want to spoil the mood. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to ensure everyone else is happy."

So it's clear why the supposedly joyous season can rapidly become a source of agony for affected individuals.

Triggers that may seem harmless, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, unwrapping gifts, or eating the holiday meal can provoke a strong emotional response that can even lead to them avoiding social settings altogether.

Jenna, a university student, who has experienced sound sensitivity since aged 10, states currently her plan is to put her earphones in to cope. Usually, she would usually isolate herself in a separate space to minimize triggering sounds.

She explains her misophonia is worse around people she's most comfortable with, so Christmas is always "challenging".

"There's an expectation to be around family, and I want to, but it's exhausting on all levels.

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

"It may seem as if I'm being difficult and dramatic, but it's hard to explain unless you've experienced it."

Three Ways to Cope

For those affected then there are a few methods you can use to handle the situation, according to specialists.

1. Imagine an Alternative: Mental imagery is crucial. Attempt to link the particular sound causing distress with an unrelated image. For instance, try to imagine someone's slurping is just a waterfall. The goal is to retrain your mind that the sound triggering you poses no threat.
2. Try a Competition: Have a bit of fun and make the irritating noise into a challenge with the culprit. For instance, if someone is eating noisily have a go at joining in. By joining in, instead of feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an willing part. And the challenge should help shift your attention and make you a little less affected.
3. Develop a Narrative: One more method is to try to create a little story about the reason someone creating the sound is behaving that way. For example if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not in good health or are troubled. This approach is changing the meaning of the sound. While the sound remains identical, your understanding of it moves from being annoying, to feeling a slightly more compassionate towards it.