Misophonia or Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome

Misophonia or Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome OCD Related Conditions Print What You Should Know About Misophonia By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. Learn about our editorial policy Kristin Hayes, RN Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Susan Olender, MD on November 08, 2014 Susan Olender, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Learn about our Medical Review Board Susan Olender, MD Updated on February 03, 2020 John Rensten / Getty Images More in OCD Related Conditions Causes Symptoms and Diagnosis Treatment Types Living With OCD Misophonia, also called selective sound sensitivity syndrome, is a poorly understood condition that literally means hatred of sound. People with misophonia react in an extreme and often emotional way to certain trigger sounds. Reactions range from annoyance, running away or even rage with some individuals lashing out violently. Triggers While misophonia is sometimes compared to another condition called hyperacusis, misophonia triggers tend to be soft everyday sounds, in fact, many of them seem to involve bodily functions. The following are common triggers: chewinglip smackinggulpingslurpingfingernail tappingfingernail clippingbreathingsniffingsnortingsneezingyawningnose wheezingnose whistlingwhistlingclickingdishes clattering or spoons scraping on dishesdogs barking It is interesting to note that in the case of bodily functions such as yawning or lip-smacking the sound often only triggers a response when it is produced by another person. Like hyperacusis, many people with misophonia also suffer from tinnitus. Responses to Trigger Sounds The response an individual with misophonia has to these triggers is often called autonomic and sometimes compared to the bodys fight or flight response. The fight or flight response is also called the acute stress response. It is the bodys natural way of responding to a situation it deems as threatening. Our body automatically begins to release the hormones adrenaline and norepinephrine which causes our heart rates and breathing rates to increase. It also causes our muscles to tighten and our blood vessels to constrict, our pupils dilate and we become more aware of our surroundings and more alert. This the bodys way of preparing us to respond to the stimulus it deems as threatening. It is unclear why a person with misophonia might respond in a similar manner to a triggering sound but researchers believe this response is involuntary. People with this chronic condition often report feelings of panic, rage, and anxiety in response to triggering noises. Those who suffer from misophonia may go to great lengths to avoid being exposed to triggering noises. They may isolate themselves socially, or invent interesting coping mechanisms. Some may wear headphones or produce other noises to drown out triggering sounds. A Poorly Understood Condition As previously mentioned, misophonia is a poorly understood, and under-researched, condition. The term misophonia did not arise to describe the condition until the year 2000, although the condition was described much earlier as selective sound sensitivity syndrome. Awareness of the disorder has increased since several news stories aired nationally on the disorder in 2011. Shortly thereafter, TV host Kelly Ripa said on television that she believes she also suffers from misophonia. Despite increased awareness of the disorder, research on misophonia is very limited with most information coming from extremely small studies and case reports. Epidemiological evidence is also lacking. Some studies suggest that the incidence of misophonia is much higher than professionals have previously thought but many people only have mild symptoms for which they do not seek treatment. As of 2011 there was no established diagnostic criteria for misophonia, however, proposed diagnostic criteria was published in 2013 and researchers suggested that the disorder be classified as a separate and discrete psychiatric disorder. There are currently no established treatments for misophonia.