Misophonia
Encyclopedia
Misophonia, literally “hatred of sound,” is a form of decreased sound tolerance. It is also known as Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome (4S).
It is believed to result from abnormally strong connections between the autonomic
and limbic systems in the brain, rather than over-activity in the auditory system
. The term was coined by American neuroscientist
s Pawel Jastreboff and Margaret Jastreboff.
Unlike hyperacusis
, misophonia is specific for certain sounds. Little is known about the anatomical location of the physiological abnormality that causes such symptoms but it is most likely high central nervous system
structures. It is unclear whether misophonia should be classified as a form of sensory processing disorder
, which typically involves more than one sensory mode.
.
Often, people who have misophonia are also annoyed by other people's repetitive movements, such as leg-tapping, nail-biting, and typing.
Sensitivity to these sounds tends to be exacerbated by stress or feeling tired/run-down.
The onset of the symptoms appears to have a characteristic pattern, often in childhood, just prior to or during puberty. Often there is a single trigger initially (a parent or sibling's noises), then the triggers expand over time to include both auditory or visual elements. It is speculated that there is a genetic basis for this disorder as the etiological data supports a similar pattern of emergence. However, this remains to be determined.
Misophonia is not a well-known diagnosis and few treatment options are available. Anxiolytics have been prescribed to help patients feel calmer in situations that would normally cause anger.
Some therapists offer sound sensitivity training. They expose a patient to both 'pleasant' and aggravating sounds in the hope that doing so will reduce the immediate feelings of anxiety or rage, and eventually desensitise the person to the offending sounds. This method does not currently have supporting clinical data, however. A recent survey of two major related website support groups gathered a response base of only 19 people, 11 of whom had been officially diagnosed with misophonia, and none had found persistent or significant relief from this method.
The use of cognitive behavioral therapy is helpful in managing misophonia.
It is believed to result from abnormally strong connections between the autonomic
Autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system functioning largely below the level of consciousness, and controls visceral functions. The ANS affects heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, diameter of the pupils,...
and limbic systems in the brain, rather than over-activity in the auditory system
Auditory system
The auditory system is the sensory system for the sense of hearing.- Outer ear :The folds of cartilage surrounding the ear canal are called the pinna...
. The term was coined by American neuroscientist
Neuroscientist
A neuroscientist is an individual who studies the scientific field of neuroscience or any of its related sub-fields...
s Pawel Jastreboff and Margaret Jastreboff.
Unlike hyperacusis
Hyperacusis
Hyperacusis is a health condition characterized by an over-sensitivity to certain frequency ranges of sound...
, misophonia is specific for certain sounds. Little is known about the anatomical location of the physiological abnormality that causes such symptoms but it is most likely high central nervous system
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...
structures. It is unclear whether misophonia should be classified as a form of sensory processing disorder
Sensory processing disorder
Sensory processing disorder or SPD is a neurological disorder causing difficulties with taking in, processing and responding to sensory information about the environment and from within the own body .For those with SPD, sensory information may be sensed and perceived in a way that is different from...
, which typically involves more than one sensory mode.
Symptoms
People who have misophonia are most commonly annoyed, or even enraged, by the sound of other people eating, breathing, coughing, or other ordinary sounds. They are not normally annoyed by sounds that they themselves make. Reactions to these sounds are not limited, however, to just loud eating noises; people with misophonia find themselves affected by all kinds of noises. Such reactions are also involuntaryInvoluntary
Involuntary is the antonym of voluntary. An involuntary action is one that occurs without volition or will; see volition and will . Involuntary may also refer to:*Involuntary , a 2008 Swedish film by Ruben Östlund...
.
Often, people who have misophonia are also annoyed by other people's repetitive movements, such as leg-tapping, nail-biting, and typing.
Sensitivity to these sounds tends to be exacerbated by stress or feeling tired/run-down.
The onset of the symptoms appears to have a characteristic pattern, often in childhood, just prior to or during puberty. Often there is a single trigger initially (a parent or sibling's noises), then the triggers expand over time to include both auditory or visual elements. It is speculated that there is a genetic basis for this disorder as the etiological data supports a similar pattern of emergence. However, this remains to be determined.
Coping methods and treatment
People with misophonia tend to use varying coping methods. Most people will simply avoid the sound and leave the room/area altogether, whereas some will try to block the sound with earplugs, music/listening to music on headphones and in more extreme cases, not socialise for fear of hearing the sounds. It is important to note that sensitivity to the offending sounds is often far more severe when the origin of the sound comes from a person that is emotionally connected to the sufferer.Misophonia is not a well-known diagnosis and few treatment options are available. Anxiolytics have been prescribed to help patients feel calmer in situations that would normally cause anger.
Some therapists offer sound sensitivity training. They expose a patient to both 'pleasant' and aggravating sounds in the hope that doing so will reduce the immediate feelings of anxiety or rage, and eventually desensitise the person to the offending sounds. This method does not currently have supporting clinical data, however. A recent survey of two major related website support groups gathered a response base of only 19 people, 11 of whom had been officially diagnosed with misophonia, and none had found persistent or significant relief from this method.
The use of cognitive behavioral therapy is helpful in managing misophonia.
See also
- HyperacusisHyperacusisHyperacusis is a health condition characterized by an over-sensitivity to certain frequency ranges of sound...
- Phonophobia
- Sensory defensivenessSensory defensivenessSensory defensiveness is a condition defined as having "a tendency to react negatively or with alarm to sensory input which is generally considered harmless or non-irritating" to neurotypical persons....
- Misophonia & Sound Sensitivity Survey
External links
- http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/06/health/06annoy.html
- http://www.psychosomaticmedicine.org/content/70/6/739.full
- http://www.misophonia-uk.org/
- http://soundsensitivity.info/
- http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090713/misophonia_sounds_090713/20090713