Misophonia and Its Causes | Misophoniainstitute.org

What is misophonia? You may have heard this term before, but it’s a relatively rare condition that most people are unaware of. Below, you’ll learn the basics about this condition and find out a few of its symptoms and causes.

Signs and Symptoms

In most cases, people with misophonia have impeccable hearing, making them extremely sensitive to sounds. Misophonia causes intense emotional reactions to specific noises, usually made by certain people. For example, a person with misophonia may have an adverse reaction to a close family member loudly chewing their food. In this scenario, simply the sound of the person chewing ignites feelings of anger or resentment in the person with misophonia. Although their symptoms of extreme emotion may occur with family members, it may or may not occur around other individuals.

Physical Symptoms

Although misophonia is generally associated with emotional reactions, physical symptoms can occur as well, depending on the individual. An individual with misophonia may feel sensations of pain in reaction to a specific sound, similar to a jabbing feeling. If you think that you may have misophonia, pay close attention to your reaction to sounds. If you feel a reflex in response to a certain sound, such as a muscle spasm or contraction, consider speaking to a doctor to find out what causes misophonia.

Other Factors

What is misophonia, and what makes someone likely to suffer from it? Misophonia tends to be more common in people who are prone to anxiety and compulsive behaviors. If you already know that you struggle with anxiety, extremely high levels of stress, or compulsive behaviors, it’s likely worth it to schedule a consultation with a mental health professional. In addition to these risk factors, misophonia sometimes develops from being exposed to a sound repeatedly during a time of stress. Misophonia is a complex condition that can emerge in a large number of ways and present as a varied spectrum of symptoms.

How Does Misophonia Work?

Now that we’ve covered what is misophonia, we’ll cover how it affects the brain. When a person hears their "triggering" sound, it alerts the brain to a perceived threat. Even if the sound itself is not actually harmful, individuals with misophonia still interpret the sound as a threat and respond accordingly. If you or a loved one has misophonia, it’s likely that the problem will escalate if treatment is not sought after. Reactions have the potential to become more extreme as time passes, and might start to affect quality of life.

Seeking Treatment

If you suspect that you might have this condition, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Fortunately, new research has emerged and it’s likely that most people with misophonia will be able to get relief from new therapies and treatments. By seeking out help in the early stages, you could be able to prevent the condition from significantly affecting your daily life. Acting early is always your best bet in identifying and treating a myriad of conditions. If you’re interested in learning more about misophonia, visit misophoniainstitute.org to further your education and explore treatment options that might be available to you.

Weston Barnes is a write and an avid reader. When he's not writing about business, marketing, health, pets, or relationships, he's immersed in his latest book.