By: Asha C. Shannon
Misophonia, known as hypersensitivity to certain sounds, or selective sound sensitivity syndrome, refers to a condition where certain “trigger” sounds evoke intense emotional or physical reactions. Individuals with misophonia may exhibit emotional reactions like anger, physical responses such as a rapid heartbeat, or behaviors like glaring.
Studies indicate that misophonia can impact anyone, but it appears to be more prevalent among women and individuals assigned females at birth.
Causes and Contributing Factors of Misophonia
The exact cause of misophonia is unknown, but research shows that individuals with the disorder have different brain responses to trigger sounds and stronger neural connections between specific brain regions compared to a control group.
However, misophonia is believed to result from factors such as negative childhood experiences, heightened sensitivity to external stimuli, and abnormal activity in the auditory processing system.
The most common sounds that trigger misophonia in individuals can include a variety of everyday noises, such as:
● Loud chewing noises
● Clock ticking
● Tapping fingers
● Pen clicking
● Water dripping
Recognizing the Symptoms of Misophonia
Misophonia involves uncontrollable emotional responses to harmless sounds, driven by subconscious reflexes linking the auditory system to other brain regions. The possible signs and symptoms of misophonia may include:
● Emotional reactions: Anger, anxiety, disgust, etc.
● Body reactions: Increase in blood pressure, tightness in chest, goosebumps, sweating ● Behavioral reactions: Avoiding or leaving areas with trigger sounds, verbal reactions (like shouting at the sound source), and non-aggressive or aggressive actions to stop the sound.
The severity of misophonia symptoms can vary. When mild, only emotional and physical reactions may occur. In more severe cases, these reactions can trigger behavioral responses. In extreme cases, individuals may react impulsively, often regretting their actions afterward, but still finding it difficult to control similar reactions in the future.
Approaches to Treating Misophonia
Misophonia doesn't have a cure at this time, but it can be managed through different coping techniques. These may involve listening to music, calming noises, or white noise, using noise-canceling headphones, or asking others to stop producing triggering sounds. Additionally, individuals can try to move away from triggering sounds in public spaces like buses or restaurants.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can also help address the thought patterns linked to misophonia. CBT techniques may involve using distracting mantras or affirmations. Additionally, practices like rest, relaxation, and meditation can help alleviate stress.
The proposed treatment for misophonia is based on a model aimed at extinguishing conditioned reflexes between the auditory system and other brain systems. It involves counseling and sound therapy and has been in use for over 20 years, with a reported success rate of 83%.
Research Insights and Worldwide Prevalence of Misophonia
While the exact prevalence of misophonia is unclear, it is estimated that around 20% of the population may be affected, with 6% experiencing significant functional impairment, as reported in clinical settings.
A 2021 study using the A-MISO diagnostic tool with 336 UK medical students found that 49.1% had clinically significant misophonic symptoms. Another 2021 study in Ankara, Turkey, reported a 12.8% prevalence of misophonia, with 78.9% of participants identifying at least one distressing sound. These findings suggest that misophonia affects a notable portion of the population, though severe cases are less common.
References
Jastreboff, P. J., & Jastreboff, M. M. (2023). The neurophysiological approach to misophonia: Theory and treatment. Frontiers in neuroscience, 17, 895574. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.895574
Osmosis. (n.d.). Misophonia. Osmosis. https://www.osmosis.org/answers/misophonia
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Misophonia. Cleveland Clinic.
Boston Children's Hospital. (n.d.). Misophonia. Boston Children's Hospital.
https://www.childrenshospital.org/conditions/misophonia#:~:text=What%20causes%20misophonia%3 F,compared%20to%20a%20control%20group.
Ferrer-Torres, A., & Giménez-Llort, L. (2022). Misophonia: A Systematic Review of Current and Future Trends in This Emerging Clinical Field. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(11), 6790. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116790
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