Have you ever been overcome by rage while listening to someone slurping or chewing with their mouth open? While many people find such sounds irritating, completely losing your temper in response is considered unreasonable (for the most part). But that’s what misophonia is all about. It’s a condition where certain noises, especially repetitive ones like chewing, talking, or even breathing, can set someone off.
Research at Newcastle University discovered that people with misophonia have a hard time regulating their emotional control system. When they hear a trigger sound, their brains respond excessively, causing an intense emotional response.
Curious about this fascinating phenomenon? Well, here are 14 interesting facts about misophonia.
1. It Alters Brain Chemistry
The studies on misophonia are ongoing as it is a relatively new condition. It’s not necessarily the case that if you are bothered by noise, you suffer from the condition.
According to research, people with misophonia experience a neural response to specific sounds that go beyond just feeling irritated. They also found that people who suffer from the condition have differences in their frontal lobes, which are responsible for suppressing abnormal reactions to sounds.
2. It Prompts Physical Response
The sound of a wrapper crackling, somebody eating chips, slurping a drink, or typing noises can trigger people with misophonia. In addition to experiencing strong emotions in response to these sounds, they may also experience physical responses like tightness or pain in the chest.
Trigger sounds activate the fight-or-flight response, causing physical symptoms such as increased heart rate and sweating. Many people with this condition leave the place when their condition kicks in to avoid issues.
3. It Develops in the Preteen Years
People are not born with misophonia—it develops, usually just before puberty or in the beginning stages. It can develop between the ages of 9 and 13, which is a common age for the development of new sensitivities and emotional responses.
You may begin to notice and experience the intense reactions associated with misophonia around the preteen years, but they can happen at later ages, too.
4. It’s Not a Phobia
Misophonia is a condition distinguished by an aversion to certain sounds with an accompanying strong emotional response. However, it is not classified as a phobia (the fear of sounds). Phobias involve a fear response to a specific object or situation, but misophonia is a little more nuanced.
According to research, people who are bothered by very specific sounds have misophonia, but not all have phonophobia—which is defined by feelings of fear. Misophonia is about disliking sounds and negatively reacting to them, not necessarily fearing them.
5. Females are More Commonly Affected
Research indicates that misophonia is more prevalent among girls and women compared to males, with estimates ranging from 55% to 83% of cases occurring in these groups.
As a relatively new disorder, misophonia is still being studied, and the precise reasons for this gender disparity remain unclear.
6. Stress and Anxiety Trigger Misophonia
Stress can make misophonia symptoms much worse. When people are stressed or anxious, those triggering noises can feel even more overwhelming, leading to more intense emotional and physical responses.
Early studies show a clear link between stress levels and the severity of misophonia. Because of this, treatments that help manage stress and improve sound tolerance could really help those dealing with misophonia, making daily life easier and more comfortable.
7. Memories Can Trigger It
Researchers have reported that memories can play a significant role in the development of misophonia. Trauma or unpleasant events during formative years featuring loud noises can trigger intense emotional reactions, which become imbedded in their brains.
Many people with misophonia associate their condition with noises that were made during traumatic parts of their childhood. Their intense emotional response to sounds is a kind of “triggered memory.”
8. It Can Hamper Life
Misophonia can be life-altering as it makes daily activities difficult. People with severe conditions find it hard to live a normal life. They become socially isolated and cannot concentrate or control their emotions.
It is unfortunate, but common, for people suffering from misophonia to start avoiding certain environments or situations, which makes them trapped and unable to cope with their symptoms.
9. Misophonia Can Increase Your Creativity
Here is a fascinating twist on the disorder: it is linked with a heightened sense of creativity.
This increased creativity is associated with the “leaky” sensory gate that tends to make them so sensitive to certain sounds. It allows them to adapt and amalgamate sensory information into their thinking. It has also been suggested that artistic outlets are a productive way for people with misophonia to cope with all the additional information let in by the “leaky” gates.
10. There Isn’t a Cure
Sadly, for now, there is no cure for this disorder. But, there are therapies and techniques to manage the symptoms.
Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) can help people develop tolerance for certain noises, and white noise machines can block the effects of irritating sounds. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is also helpful in identifying negative thoughts and emotions associated with misophonia.
11. Nobody Knows Why It Happens
Because research on misophonia is still insufficient, its cause remains unknown. Research is ongoing, and several theories have been proposed as to why it happens. Some say it is due to genetics, and others say it can be environmental.
Without a definitive cause, developing a cure is challenging. However, with treatments and therapies, it can be made manageable to some extent.
12. Genetic Factors Play a Role in Misophonia
Recent studies suggest that misophonia may have a genetic component, indicating that the condition could be hereditary.
Researchers have found that individuals with misophonia often have family members who share similar sensitivities, hinting at a possible genetic predisposition to developing this auditory disorder.
13. Earplugs Can Help
Misophonia can disrupt someone’s life. However, the symptoms can be made controllable. For example, earplugs can be used to limit irritating and triggering noises. Earplugs can be a practical tool for individuals with misophonia, providing a physical barrier against triggering noises.
Those with misophonia may find relief by using earplugs in noisy environments. Customizable earplugs are also available, offering various levels of noise reduction to suit your needs and preferences.
14. It Can Occur With Other Disorders
Misophonia often occurs alongside other issues, making diagnosing and treating difficult due to symptom overlap.
It’s commonly linked with anxiety, ASD, and OCD. Since these conditions can share similar symptoms, it can be hard to identify misophonia, as people may feel emotional distress and sensitivity to sound from these other disorders, too.
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Aqsa is a passionate writer who loves spending her free time jotting down her thoughts. But that’s not all. She is a devoted mom to two boys and a skilled pharmacist specializing in hematology. When she’s not running after her energetic kids, you can find her lost in a good book or writing beautiful words. A nature lover at heart, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, staying active, and always seeking ways to learn new things.
Aqsa is a passionate writer who loves spending her free time jotting down her thoughts. But that's not all. She is a devoted mom to two boys and a skilled pharmacist specializing in hematology. When she's not running after her energetic kids, you can find her lost in a good book or writing beautiful words. A nature lover at heart, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, staying active, and always seeking ways to learn new things.
