Do everyday sounds cause you to feel traumatized?

If you find yourself greatly bothered by people who chew loudly, slurp their drinks, or repeatedly sniff, you are not alone; many others share your sentiments.

For some individuals, the sounds produced by these unwelcome behaviors can evoke more than just annoyance. They may trigger a fight-or-flight response, leading to feelings of distress, anger, or even panic. These individuals are said to suffer from a recently identified condition known as misophonia.

You might be someone who experiences this often-overlooked condition, or you may know a friend or family member who is affected. It is surprising how many people are impacted by this.

Misophonia involves an exaggerated emotional reaction to ordinary sounds.

When exposed to a disturbing sound, individuals with misophonia may exhibit various emotional, physical, or behavioral symptoms such as disgust, anger, irritation, fear, anxiety, muscle tension, or other fight-or-flight responses. They may also experience physical symptoms like elevated blood pressure, chest tightness, sweating, and increased heart rate.

Unsurprisingly, those affected often go to great lengths to avoid the triggering sounds, even if it means withdrawing from social situations. In cases where avoidance is not feasible, misophonia can lead to verbal or physical aggression.

Overview

To date, misophonia is not officially recognized as a disorder, but a committee of mental health experts established an official definition for it last year.

There is limited research on the prevalence of misophonia, with reported estimates ranging from as low as five to as high as 20 percent of the population based on a small number of conducted studies.

To gain more clarity and accuracy regarding the statistics, researchers at Kings College London developed a sophisticated and robust tool to assess the severity, complexity, and prevalence of misophonia.

Causes Distress to Almost One in Five People

The team in London enrolled 772 individuals who were representative of the general population in terms of gender, age, and ethnicity. A large majority (86 percent) of the participants had never heard of the condition, and only 2.3 percent identified as having it.

The researchers investigated the sounds that triggered individuals, presenting the group with 37 different sounds to consider.

These sounds included noises like cutlery, snoring, repetitive coughing, footsteps, a crying baby, and teeth sucking. They also explored the effects of these sounds, the emotional responses they elicited, the intensity of the reactions, and whether the individuals blamed the sound makers. Based on their responses, participants were given an overall score.

The results revealed that nearly one in five people (18.4 percent) experience misophonia to a degree where it significantly impacts them in terms of distress and overall well-being. The prevalence and severity of misophonia are similar between genders and tend to lessen as people age.

For some, escaping from distressing sounds was nearly impossible.

Triggered by the Sound Of Normal Breathing

Many of the sounds frequently cited as triggers by those with misophonia also irritated the general population. Participants commonly mentioned noisy chewing, slurping, snoring, and loud breathing. However, the types of triggers and reactions differed among those with the condition.

Individuals with misophonia were more likely to be triggered by seemingly mundane sounds such as regular breathing or swallowing, leading to exaggerated reactions like anger or panic.

Dr. Jane Gregory, the senior author, explained, "The experience of misophonia goes beyond mere annoyance at a sound. Misophonia can induce feelings of helplessness and entrapment when individuals cannot escape an unpleasant sound.

Often, those with misophonia feel guilty about their reactions, especially when responding to sounds made by loved ones. Further research is necessary to understand the causes of misophonia and how to assist those individuals whose symptoms disrupt their daily lives."

A Strong Sense of Panic

One individual, Claire Cisotti, shared how misophonia affects her life.

"At the first sound of crunching, my heart rate rises, I struggle to breathe properly, and a strong sense of panic begins to build within me. The noise becomes all-encompassing, filling my head and hindering my ability to think clearly.

"My daily commute to and from work fills me with dread... knowing I will have to endure the ordeal of walking through successive train carriages filled with slurpers and munchers until I find a place to sit in peace.

"Sounds like crunching, lip smacking, rustling packets, and gulping are, to me, akin to nails on a chalkboard, the high-pitched whine of a dentist's drill, or the distressed wail of a baby.

"These sounds trigger a visceral reaction that makes me either want to flee or react aggressively."

What Causes Misophonia?

Misophonia is still in the early stages of understanding, but researchers believe it is more likely to develop during the teenage years.

Scientists suggest that individuals with misophonia may have differences in brain structure and activity. For instance, these individuals might have a higher number of connections in certain brain areas, particularly those involved in processing sounds and regulating emotions.

Researchers also suspect a genetic component to misophonia. They have identified at least one genetic mutation that contributes to the development of the condition.

Moreover, individuals with misophonia are more prone to conditions like ADHD, autism, major depressive disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder than others. They may also experience anxiety, hearing loss, or other auditory challenges.

How Do You Treat Misophonia?

While there is currently no cure for misophonia, there are treatment options available.

Medical professionals recommend seeking help from a therapist or counselor who can assist in identifying triggers and developing strategies to minimize or prevent exposure to these sounds.

Therapists can also help manage symptoms by teaching coping techniques and suggesting lifestyle changes such as stress-relief methods, earplugs, noise-canceling headphones, or earbuds. If using earbuds, listening to other sounds can help reduce sensitivity to triggering noises. Another effective strategy is using a white noise machine.

Best Regards,
The Team