Misophonia Syndrome: Have you ever felt stressed or angry about seemingly trivial matters that do not deserve strong reactions? Have you felt anxious and upset when you hear the sound of a pencil or the breathing of someone sitting next to you? Have you wondered about the reason for this discomfort even though it seems unjustified? In my Dalili Medical guide, we will review for you the most prominent symptoms associated with this syndrome and ways to treat it.

How can I know if a person has misophonia?

 

Misophonia can be identified through a set of signs and symptoms that may appear, such as physical reactions and immediate hatred for some sounds. These symptoms include irritation, disgust, anger, and loss of self-control, in response to some sound stimuli, such as the sound of loud chewing, the sound of lips, or loud breathing.

Is noise annoyance a mental illness?

 

Feeling annoyed by loud or unfamiliar sounds, which may be annoying, is normal and innate. However, annoyance by some ordinary sounds is known as misophonia, a disorder that has not been officially recognized as a mental illness or mental disorder yet.

Is there a link between misophonia and obsessive-compulsive disorder?

 

About 24% of people with OCD have a high risk of developing misophonia. There is also some evidence that misophonia may have genetic roots.

Can misophonia go away over time?

 

If misophonia is linked to a mental disorder, it is important to treat that disorder first. However, misophonia often goes away completely with appropriate treatment.

Can misophonia lead to panic attacks?

 

A person may experience a panic attack as a result of misophonia, but this depends on the severity of the symptoms and the stimuli that disgust the individual.

Is there a link between misophonia and autism?

 

Misophonia cannot be considered directly related to autism, but some doctors believe that it may be a symptom in some children with Tourette syndrome.

**What is misophonia?**

 

Do some of the usual everyday sounds trigger exaggerated reactions in you, while they do not seem bothersome to anyone else? This condition is known as the brain's overreaction to sounds called misophonia, which is an intense hatred of certain sounds.

**Causes of sound sensitivity**

The main cause of sound sensitivity is still unknown, but there are some factors that may increase the likelihood of developing it, including:

**Differences in brain structure** People who suffer from sound sensitivity may have certain differences in brain structure and activity. Among these differences, there is more activity than usual in and between certain areas of the brain.

**Suffering from other health or psychological problems**Sound sensitivity is more common among people who suffer from certain conditions, such as:

**Neurological problems**, which include:

- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

- Autism spectrum disorder.

- Tourette syndrome.

**Psychological problems**, including:

Major depression (MDD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Conditions or symptoms related to hearing include:

- Hearing loss

- Tinnitus

- Hyperacusis

**Family history** Evidence suggests that sound sensitivity may be a genetic condition that runs in families. At least one gene mutation is thought to play a role.

When should you see a doctor for misophonia?

 

People with misophonia typically experience intense discomfort from certain sounds, such as nail biting, teeth brushing, chewing ice, eating, drinking, breathing, smelling, talking, sneezing, yawning, walking, chewing gum, laughing, snoring, coughing, humming, and whistling. They also feel uncomfortable in certain situations, such as singing or repeating certain sounds. If you encounter these types of situations, it is advisable to consult a psychiatrist, as delaying diagnosis can lead to psychological damage that may be permanent.

How do misophonia patients feel?

 

The feeling of a person with misophonia when hearing any stimulus can be likened to the discomfort that most people experience when hearing the sound of nails on a blackboard.

Symptoms are manifested by a feeling of numbness in the body, nerve stretching, and an urgent desire for the sound to stop immediately. People with misophonia suffer from this feeling constantly due to sounds that others do not notice in their daily lives.

Moreover, they may feel pressure in the chest when hearing these annoying sounds. This situation can make the person feel physically and psychologically stuck, which negatively affects their daily life.

They may also feel misunderstood and isolated. They also suffer from severe anxiety. In some cases, this disorder can lead to a person being abnormally impatient, increasing tension, irritability, and hypersensitivity.

Patients often think that the people around them are making these annoying sounds on purpose, which causes them severe psychological stress due to their feeling ignored. Sometimes, they may have a desire or even an attempt to act violently towards the person making the sound. Therefore, understanding their surroundings becomes very important at this stage.

**Complications of Misophonia Syndrome**

Every action is accompanied by a reaction, and reactions increase in people who suffer from severe sensitivity to sounds, and the most prominent of these reactions are:

- Aggression.

- Avoiding favorite places.

- Social isolation.

- Quitting work.

- Family problems.

- Depression.

In more severe cases, things may reach the point of thinking about suicide.

**The most common sounds that trigger symptoms**

 

It has been noted that some sounds trigger symptoms of sound sensitivity more than others, including:

- The sounds of chewing food, which affect 81% of those affected.

- The sounds of breathing or blowing the nose loudly, which affect64%.

- Finger cracking, which affects about 60%.

**Symptoms of sound sensitivity**

Symptoms of sound sensitivity relate to how an individual responds to the sounds around them. This means that reactions can vary between:

**Emotional reactions** refers to the feelings a person experiences towards sounds, and can range from mild to severe. For many, these feelings escalate quickly, meaning that discomfort or irritation can quickly turn into anger.

Other emotional reactions include:

- Anxiety

- Disgust

- Fear

- Irritability

**Physical symptoms** Physical symptoms refer to innate reactions that occur automatically. They are often similar to what a person would feel when faced with a dangerous or frightening situation.

Physical reactions may include:

- Increased blood pressure

- Feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest

- Chills

- Rapid heartbeat

- Sweating

**Behavioral reactions** refer to behaviors and actions that occur in response to triggering sounds, and are often impulsive or instinctive, meaning that the person may not have full control over them.

Behavioral reactions can include:

- Avoiding situations where triggering sounds may be made.

- Leaving the area when a triggering sound is heard.

- Verbal or vocal responses, such as talking or shouting at the person who made the sound.

- Using violence to stop the sound, although this is rare.

What are the triggers associated with misophonia?

 

Triggers vary widely between individuals, with some sounds becoming more distressing when a person begins to feel visibly stressed by them. Common triggers include:

- Whistling noises.

- Sniffing.

- Eavesdropping.

- Rubbing fabrics.

- Breathing or sighing.

- Metallic sounds.

- Dog barking.

- Lip smacking.

- Sneezing.

- Swallowing.

**How ​​to Diagnose Misophonia**

 

There are no specific criteria for diagnosing misophonia, but researchers have noted that it is similar to other conditions such as specific phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder.

Some of the criteria that may prompt a doctor to diagnose you with misophonia include:

- Expecting that listening to a certain sound will lead to feelings of irritation, anger, and disgust.

- Feeling angry and losing control.

- Avoiding triggering sounds that cause you anger and upset.

- Feeling extremely distressed that affects your daily life.

- Not explaining these feelings for at least 6 months.

**Misophonia Test**

Researchers have developed a set of tests that help determine whether or not a person has misophonia. One of the most prominent of these tests is the test prepared by Dr. Marsha Johnson, which includes a survey that requires downloading and answering all the questions asked in it, in addition to collecting the results. Therefore, we now provide you with a set of information related to this test:

To answer the survey, you must answer the following two questions to determine whether you suffer from misophonia:

Are there sounds that you cannot tolerate, even if they are simple?

 

Do you feel disgusted, angry, or tense when you hear a certain sound that you cannot tolerate?

If your answer is yes to one of these two questions, this indicates that you may suffer from misophonia.

In this case, you can take the related survey.

**Herbal treatment for misophonia**

Patients suffer from severe discomfort from sounds at certain times, especially when waking up from sleep in the morning or in the middle of the night. Anxiety and depression can lead to sleep problems, making these patients more prone to insomnia. But there are some types of herbal teas that can help improve the quality of sleep if taken before bed.

**Chamomile tea**: Add a little dried chamomile to a small teapot with water, then leave it to brew. If this tea is consumed before bed, it helps calm the nerves and facilitates a restful sleep. It is also known for its benefits in treating anxiety.

**Passion flower tea**: Thanks to its calming effect, it is considered useful in cases of insomnia. It contains the element harmine, which helps relieve difficulty sleeping by providing comfort. This tea is also believed to be useful in reducing anxiety, but it is recommended not to consume it with alcoholic beverages, depression medications, or sleeping pills.

Like sedatives, there is a risk of addiction to herbs that help sleep and calm down. Therefore, it is important to consume these herbs in the recommended quantities and at the appropriate times, with the need to stop using them for certain periods.

Treatment of Misophonia:

So far, there is no definitive treatment for this condition, but there are several ways to control it:

First - Cognitive behavioral therapy: This treatment is done by redirecting negative thoughts associated with disturbing sounds. The doctor installs a device in the ear that emits various natural sounds, which helps direct the patient's thoughts and relieve his feeling of discomfort.

Second - Psychotherapy: This includes obtaining advice from a psychologist who helps the patient deal with annoying sounds.

Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT): Tinnitus is a condition in which a continuous ringing sound is heard in the ear, which may cause discomfort and discomfort to the affected person. Many individuals who suffer from tinnitus may also develop misophonia.

This treatment aims to enhance the person's ability to adapt to the stimulating sounds that lead to misophonia. This training includes learning how to tolerate noise so that it does not cause significant discomfort to the person.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This approach focuses on helping individuals with misophonia change negative thinking patterns associated with stimulating sounds. It also teaches them how to understand their reactions to these sounds and develop new strategies that help them adapt to their exaggerated reactions to sound stimuliDifferent.

**Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):** This type of therapy focuses on learning how to manage emotions and transform negative thinking patterns into positive ones, and is considered a form of cognitive behavioral therapy.

**Relaxation Techniques:** Some individuals with misophonia can benefit from various relaxation techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation. This method involves stimulating the relaxation response by practicing alternating between tensing and relaxing different areas of the body.

**White Noise Devices:** These devices emit constant sounds such as a flowing river, a flowing waterfall, falling rain, the roar of waves, and other continuous calming sounds, which can be listened to through headphones.

Some people respond best to constant sounds in the environment, such as white noise, as these sounds aim to reduce interaction with the sounds that trigger misophonia. Fans and air conditioners in the room can also contribute to the production of white noise, which also helps reduce the emotional responses associated with this condition.

To treat misophonia, the patient should follow certain strategies to avoid getting into a state of discomfort, including:

First: Listening to the radio or television at a high volume.

Second: Using headphones or earplugs in places where the patient feels disturbed by surrounding sounds.

Third: Practicing relaxation and meditation exercises, in addition to deep breathing exercises.

Fourth: Changing locations that cause the patient a feeling of discomfort.

Fifth: Talking frankly with others, especially close family members, about the sounds that cause him discomfort, to avoid making them as much as possible.