Misophonia is a neurological or psychological disorder that is especially common in people with high ear sensitivity and can become unbearable in some cases. It is a condition in which sound aversion or repetitive low or high tones of sound can irritate the person to the point that it can push the person to violent behavior from time to time. These sounds are known as the sounds that are among the symptoms of the disease. These are sounds such as mouth smacking, gum chewing, water dripping and whistling.
Also known colloquially as misophonia or hearing impairment, this disease has a prevalence of about 20 percent in people worldwide. It is the condition of being disturbed and angered by normal sounds that can be encountered in daily life such as coughing, television sound, whistling, snoring, laughing, chewing gum, breathing and nail cutting. People with this disorder may develop intense anxiety and avoidance behavior because they may experience uncontrolled anger when they encounter these sounds. In such cases, if help is not received, it may cause the person to be isolated from society.
What are the Symptoms of Misophonia?
It is a disease in which the feeling of anger arises and becomes unbearable against sounds that are often repetitive and in certain tones.
The emotions and reactions of the person are among the symptoms of misophonia , especially in situations that are seen as triggers in this disease, such as the sound of brushing teeth, mouth smacking while eating, whistling, whistling and breathing.
When people are exposed to these sounds, they may not be able to control themselves and may become aggressive. The sounds that reveal the symptoms of the disease and some behaviors against these sounds are as follows:
- Hating the sound made when consuming foods such as popcorn or chips
- Excessive anger and agitation at the sound of an alarm
- Sensation of nervousness to environmental sounds
- Inability to endure and tolerate the sound of babies crying
- Being uncomfortable with people tapping their feet rhythmically at work or elsewhere
- Avoid going out and staying away from social environments in case of hypersensitivity to sounds and becoming unbearable
Many people may feel uncomfortable in response to such sounds. However, in people with the disease, these feelings can be very intense, and anger and irritation can be difficult to control. While the disease can also be expressed as selective sound sensitivity syndrome, some cases also show signs of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
What are the Causes of Misophonia?
There are many researches and studies on the causes of misophonia. This disease, which is thought to be related to hearing and perception disorders, is later reported to be a psychological disorder.
Some imaging methods are applied to patients to determine the causes of the disease and to observe the underlying conditions of the disease.
In these applications where the brain is examined, it has been determined that there is an abnormal functioning in the anterior insular cortex. It has been determined that there is a difference in the patients' reactions to sounds and the function of the brain.
Although this disease, which negatively affects the social activities and relationships of the individual, mostly occurs in adolescence, diagnosis and diagnosis of the disease may occur at a later age.
People who are disturbed by voices do not see this condition as a disease and do not want to be treated. This condition, which is often tried to cope on its own, can also cause different psychological problems in the person.
Misophonia Test
It is a disease that is more common in people with high levels of stress, anger, strain and anxiety. Although the exact cause has not been determined, some experts say that it is caused by psychological reasons and that the level of discomfort from sounds should be measured.
Misophonia test is performed to measure the degree of discomfort of these sounds and to get information about the condition of the disease. With this test, the disease is diagnosed and the level of discomfort with which sounds is determined.
In these tests, which can be performed by specialist psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and audiologists, it is measured which level of sounds the person reacts to. According to some studies, it is thought that the disease should not be evaluated together with different psychological problems and should be handled separately.
There are also some criteria for this test. These are as follows:
- No tinnitus
- Acknowledging and being aware that the individual's reactions are out of the norm and too much
- Sounds cause some panic, anger, rage, aggression and anxiety in the individual
- Reactions to sounds and avoidance should be observed precisely
- Affect family relationships, social relations and work life
What are Misophonia Treatment Methods?
There is no definitively proven treatment for the disease. Research shows that studies for treatment are ongoing.
Misophonia treatment can be done by examining the factors that cause the disease and some physiological and psychological disorders carried by the individual. Some suggestions can be made in terms of eliminating the perception problem caused by the person's sensitivity to sounds.
It is known that psychological problems are especially prominent in this disease. For this reason, receiving psychiatric support increases the success rate in treatment and helps to eliminate some of the underlying conditions of the disease.
Social and family relationships are negatively affected in people who do not receive psychological support for the treatment of misophonia. In this case, it is important to get support from psychiatry specialists or specialist psychologists.
In the treatment process prepared by a specialist psychologist or psychiatrist and planned individually, it is aimed to eliminate some psychological problems and the factors that cause this disease. In addition, the person is taught how to protect themselves from damaging voices through voice therapy.