Do you experience rage when you hear someone chewing?You’re not alone!
Alekha Akkapeddi
When I was younger, I would experience irrational rage whenever I heard the clicking of a pen, typing on a computer, snoring, and chewing. I knew it was unreasonable; however, I couldn't help it. I found out later in life that this condition is a sound sensitivity called misophonia. As someone who suffered for most of my life with ADHD and anxiety, I wondered if there was a connection to misophonia. I learned that these issues are commonly comorbid, and there may be a link between them. Recently, I have discovered that many friends, family, and peers of mine also have this same condition – many of them are women. I wondered, what is with the latest uptick in this vague, newly discovered condition?
- Misophonia - What Is It?
Misophonia is a neurological condition characterized by strong emotional reactions, often negative, in response to specific sounds. Individuals with misophonia experience intense and disproportionate emotional responses to certain trigger sounds, which can lead to feelings of anger, anxiety, or discomfort. Common trigger sounds include chewing, slurping, pen clicking, typing on a keyboard, and other repetitive noises.
This condition commonly first appears in adolescence with little improvement over time into adulthood. Misophonia may occur with other psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, autism, and BPD. Indeed, research suggests that misophonia occurs more commonly in women than in men. - The Neurobiological Basis of Misophonia
While the exact mechanisms behind misophonia are unknown, there are a few different mechanisms that may explain this mysterious condition.
Studies have found that although the auditory cortex (responsible for hearing) may not necessarily be hampered in this condition as in other hearing disorders, the communication between the auditory cortex and limbic system may be at play here. Specifically, there is some increased activity in the amygdala, a brain region strongly associated with the emotional response. Along with this heightened emotional response, the sympathetic nervous system (or fight-or-flight response) gets activated, triggering feelings such as anger, disgust, or a desire to retreat from the noise.
Another mechanism that may explain this condition is altered connectivity between these brain regions. This means that sensory information received by the auditory cortex may not be translated appropriately for the emotional regions involved. Over time, these neural pathways may be reinforced, making the auditory stimuli less bearable. An imbalance in neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, has also been shown to be implicated and can trigger an intense emotional response to simple sounds.
Although this sound sensitivity might seem challenging, one review found that people with this condition are actually more musically inclined. This makes sense, as they have a greater recognition for musical tones and pitches. - Okay, I Know It’s Hell, How Can I Stop!?
Currently, there is no cure for misophonia :( The most promising treatment to date is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or interventions that calm the nervous system, including SSRIs, SNRIs, herbs, and adaptogens. In my personal experience, my misophonia became much better once I was able to regulate my nervous system. The most effective therapies for me in this case included yoga, breathwork, biofeedback therapy, energy healing, and staying hydrated.
