Research conducted at King’s College London shows nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United Kingdom experience significant adverse reactions to simple sounds from a condition called misophonia.
- The researchers found only 13.6% of the people in the study were aware of the term misophonia before the survey.
- There were no significant differences in the prevalence of misophonia based on gender.
- Though these results are specific to the UK, the survey tool may be applied in other countries and cultures to assess and understand misophonia more thoroughly.
Misophonia is a neurobehavioral disorder that causes intensely emotional or physiological responses to certain sounds that others might perceive as usual.
- The Misophonia Institute reports that approximately 20% of the US population has misophonia.
- People with misophonia describe particular sounds as “driving them crazy.”
Why it matters
For some people, misophonia impairs their social and occupational functioning. It triggers a fight-or-flight response to specific sounds, leading to emotional, physical, and behavioral reactions.
Misophonic responses range from
- Anger, disgust, and anxiety
- Muscle tension
- Avoidance of triggering sounds
- Withdrawal from social situations
- Verbal and physical aggression
- Some people feel trapped and helpless when they cannot escape the sounds that bother them.
Secondary emotional responses such as shame, guilt, and anticipatory anxiety are also possible.
Common trigger sounds include chewing, breathing, tapping, and repetitive motions like fidgeting.
What to do
At present, there is no known cure or medication to treat misophonia. However, various treatments aid in managing the symptoms. These treatments incorporate cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy, and relaxation techniques.
If you experience misophonia, seek the help of a medical or mental health expert. Obtaining a proper diagnosis and treatment plan is necessary.
