Misophonia is a disorder you may not have heard of –but you can probably name someone affected by it. The Cleveland Clinic defines Misophonia as “a disorder where you have a decreased tolerance to specific sounds and things you can sense related to them.” The DSM-5 doesn’t recognize it as a distinct disorder, usually occurring in tandem with other neurodivergences/mental conditions and occasionally hearing conditions.
Misophonia is common among people with higher levels of anxiety, stress, or compulsive behavior and develops in the early teen years. Misophonia symptoms are focused on certain trigger sounds—people eating, tapping their fingers, water dripping, etc. People with misophonia may experience intense and overwhelming emotions ranging from fear, anger, disgust, irritation and anxiety from these trigger sounds. They also may experience fight or flight responses due to the sound. Misophonia can also grow to include other related sounds and the reactions tend to worsen. For example, it could grow to involve chewing, breathing and coughing, and once manageable responses could become unmanageable with time.
This can cause people with misophonia to avoid a great deal of situations that could include their trigger sounds. A person whose trigger sound is eating or mouth sounds may find dinner with family intolerable. This could impact a person’s quality of life and social connections with family and friends. However, there are a few ways a person with misophonia may manage this on their own.
There are several ways to manage misophonia, some are more readily available than others. Firstly, white noise or sounds that cover up the trigger sound has been effective. Noise-canceling headphones or specialized earbuds such as Loops are also helpful in blocking out sounds. There are some apps that can play white noise, or other sounds that can help with blocking trigger sounds. Relaxation methods like Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) and Applied Relaxation can be helpful in managing misophonia since they can help reduce the trigger or help the body prepare for it.
If a student’s misophonia impacts their learning, they may be eligible for accommodations under a 504 plan in the United States. Discuss with your school if accommodations are right for you. Workplace accommodations are also possible under the ADA. Work with your employers to find accommodations that fit for you.
Some therapies, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectal Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy (EMDR), and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), have shown some promise in treating misophonia.
Dealing with misophonia can be really tough; especially if it’s something you’re only just starting to notice in your life. The sounds that bother you might seem small to others, but they can seriously mess with your day, make concentration difficult and even strain your relationships. That’s why raising awareness and having honest conversations about misophonia matters so much. As we learn more about it, it’s important for individuals, families and mental health professionals to work together to find ways to cope that actually work for each person’s unique experience.