Misophonia is an often misunderstood condition. It is a strong, often described as irrational, emotional reaction to certain trigger sounds. Imagine feeling rage at the sound of someone chewing, welling up within you, often exploding out, and you are approaching how life is like for many with Misophonia.
Sadly many people refuse to accept Misophonia exists, it is dismissed as just someone being touchy or oversensitive. Sufferers can even be mocked, for having what is arbitrarily declared a “made up condition”. However the NHS accepts it exists, considering it a form of Hyperacusis and millions of people around the world know it exists because they live with it every day.
It may not sound (forgive the pun) like a very troubling condition. However as a doctor with the condition decribes here, it can affect peoples lives in many different ways. Very often the trigger noise may be associated with certain people, and it can destroy relationships if others are not able to understand that these strong negative emotions are part of the condition. Misophonia usually develops from the age of ten, and for many people their childhood becomes a minefield of navigating trigger situations with unsympathetic parents and family members refusing to accept they are being anything other than awkward. This can leave a legacy far wider than the impact of Misophonia itself.
Depending on the trigger Misophonia can also affect work, if the tapping of the keyboard, or a touchpad is someones trigger work can become a stress filled environment, with each day filled with emotional turmoil and upheaval.
Can counselling help?
Many sites recommend CBT. As an integrative therapist I take a wider view. I do believe counselling can help, although there is no cure for Misophonia. Strategies can be worked on in therapy to make life more bearable for sufferers. I believe though it is often important to explore the impact the condition has had emotionally, how it affects family and other relationships. People with Misophonia have a life long condition, and one where triggers may change. It is not enough to just change behaviours or plan strategies, vital as they are.
Many people feel as if a huge lightbulb has gone off when they first read of Misophonia, something they have assumed was “just them” or even thought was a sign of mental illness is suddenly explained. It can be a great feeling to simply discover you are not alone.
There are many online support groups, which can be invaluable