A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:Is there anyone else out there suffering from Misophonia (a form of sound sensitivity where noises like people chewing, breathing, snoring etc provoke a fight or flight/rage response in the sufferer) who can offer me any advice about coping with it? I am 27 and have been suffering with it since I was about 12 I think. I just feel I'm constantly stressed/mad at people for everyday things, and while I am very good at not reacting to these feelings so I hide it well, it is damaging my relationships with friends, family and boyfriend as I try to avoid the trigger sounds (breathing, chewing and sniffing mainly). Plus it is damaging my health as I feel like I an always angry and on edge. I hardly ever stay over at my boyfriend's place which upsets him, but I literally get no sleep when he (or anyone) is in the room as the noises they make drive me nuts. I have tried to explain it to a few people but they never understand and think I'm being a bitch basically, and my doctor didn't know of it or anyone who specialises in it. So I'm on my own with it too. I would literally give anything to get over this but there is no cure so it's not likely. Is there anyone else who feels like this? How do you manage? Reply to this Question
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (25 May 2013): My sister was diagnosed with Misophonia. She deals with it by giving death starers and leaving the area. Playing loud music, having the TV on high volume.
As for sleeping around others that snore etc. have you tried earplugs?
Does your boyfriend know you suffer from it? If not talk to him about it. He might be able to help. If he does know then no offense but I'd dump him in your place. Instead of trying to help he just gets upset. Same with the ones that call you bitchy... Just because they don't have it or haven't heard of it doesn't mean there's no such thing. Tell them to look it up and grow up.
A
male
reader, Sageoldguy1465  +, writes (25 May 2013):
 I have two cousins who are stone-deaf (they have NO hearing, whatsoever).
If they saw this submittal, I'll bet they would say, "Damn, Dan, if I could ever hear ANYTHING I'd be so darned excited, that I wouldn't sleep for WEEKS just listening to all that I haven't experienced over the last 60 years......."
Count your blessing, get some earplugs or a white-noise generator, and get on with your life.....
Good luck....
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (25 May 2013): You're not the only one. I have it to a degree and it's difficult because I work in a busy building and commute to work (not by car). I had to move out of the shared office because even the sound of people typing was getting to me. Not just typing: chewing, swallowing (gulping), opening food wrappers, coughing, clearing throats ... etc etc. ALL DAY! I wangled my own working space but before then I used to try and drown out the sounds with headphones. At night I use earplugs to drown out other noises! For commuting I now ride my bike so I don't have to listen to the noises of all the other people crammed around me. And I changed my work shift so I avoid rush hour. I avoid being around noisy eaters, but sometimes it's unavoidable. An ex of mine used to chew gum and it bugged me so much I used to cover my ears! I think we're not normal, but at least we're not alone x
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A
female
reader, Dayzee  +, writes (25 May 2013):
What an amzing question. I think I have your problem but perhaps not to the same degree. I hate chewing noises, snoring, loud sleep-breathing, certain types of water sounds. I HATE the sound of barking dogs and noisy neighbours. I seldom play loud music and like soft ambientmusic. If someone slurps or chews aloud near me I want to tear my ears off. I sometimes have thought it would be pleasant to be deaf and hear nothing.
I moved out of town so that I could sleep at night away from noisy neighbours. Luckily for me, hubby and I have our own rooms so weboth can sleep. I hope you get some help. I can only empathise and wish you good luck finding a solution. In the meantime I hope your friends and family will be more supportive of your sound sensitivities.
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A
male
reader, timmy m turner +, writes (25 May 2013):
You are not alone. In my family, obnoxious chewing runs in the family. I hated hearing myself chew, my sister, and my mom. I also have started noticing my grandmother chewing. I hate when people suck snot up their nose, I hate snoring, and mostly I hate the sound of people tapping their feet. The best way I have dealt with it is not focusing so much on all the sounds. If you know you hate them and you hear them, it might be best to leave the room before it triggers you. Since I hate my chewing, I have found the cause of the sound and trained my mouth to jot do it. Sometimes things happen that you can't control and if noise I'd one of them, you as a person needs to accept the fact that annoying noises are everywhere. I hope this helps.
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A
female
reader, Abella +, writes (25 May 2013):
 Would it help if you worse very effective ear protection to cut out any noise, and an eye mask to cut out any sensory over-load, when you sleep at your boyfriend's home?
I am sure that you are not a b^^ch at all. And that you just crave some silence and an absence of distractions.
It is good that you are able to continue to socialize and mix with your boyfriend. Because your misophonia might tend to result in you wanting to restrict activities with others, and that's not good for you, (to isolate yourself)
Has your Doctor been able to suggest anything that can help?
Thank you for the information about a condition I had never heard of - however I can see that it would literally cause daily challenges to engage with other people. Your boyfriend sounds very understanding.
So I checked out what else I could find out about the condition and found a forum of people willing to offer support and share stories on a voluntary basis in the forum on this site:
I hope that can help you a little.
http://www.misophonia.com/Forum/
http://www.misophonia.com
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