Misophonia, or Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome (4S), is a neurological condition that causes me to have an extremely negative neural reaction to certain noises, especially those made with the mouth. Adrenaline is released into my system and I have very acute anxiety and a terrible sense of panic. It’s not like a pet-peeve, and it’s not just annoying. It’s like if you were covered in spiders, or dropped into a pit full of snakes. Does this video make you uncomfortable? https://youtube/watch?v=bRV4d9LCawU A situation like that is literally what I feel when I am “triggered” by a noise. I feel the same way looking at this as I would if I saw someone pull out a bag of chips. And that’s just anticipating a noise. Hearing it is much worse. Try and imagine sitting in class with a snake, a big spider, or a rat crawling on you and having to pretend like it wasn’t happening. That’s like me having to linger while someone who keeps popping gum is sitting directly behind me and won’t stop it. Another thing that happens to a misophonia sufferer when they’re being triggered is an uncontrollable rage. You get angry at whoever is making the noise. Sometimes we say things we don’t mean or do things that are hurtful to others. We sometimes lash out. Therapy can help to ease this bit, but anger is still a huge issue. Some people also have visual triggers as a result of PTSD from the disorder. One gets accustomed to being triggered when someone with gum is around, and so eventually, just seeing someone with gum will set them off. That’s why I have so much trouble at the library in school, or even being out in public. Because every time someone with gum sits within my visual field, I have to get up and move. The problem with having to move all the time is that people start to assume you’re just a prick. Misophonia puts me in so many awkward situations, it’s why I worry about going new places and meeting new people, because I don’t want to look like a jerk! I’ve made a lot of bad first impressions, it’s terrible. I wouldnt wish this on my worst enemy. Ive been trying different coping methods and techniques but I have not really found anything to work. Besides completely leaving the situation in the first place. Although this is still a major issue in my life Ive been working hard to try and cope in any way possible. So for those of you that know me, or even those of you who do not, I am sorry youve probably had to put up with me once or twice or one hundred times.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 03:23:04 +0000