Misophonia
Misophonia, literally "hatred of sound", is a purported disorder in which negative emotions, thoughts, and physical reactions are triggered by specific sounds. It is also called "soft sound sensitivity syndrome," "select sound sensitivity syndrome" ("4S"), "decreased sound tolerance", and "sound-rage".[1][2] Misophonia is not recognized as a disorder by standard diagnostic criteria, and there is no evidence-based research on its prevalence or treatment.
Contents
Classification
The diagnosis of misophonia was not recognized in the DSM IV or the ICD 10, and it is not classified as an audiological, neurological, or psychiatric disorder.[1] It was not included in the DSM-5.[3]
Symptoms
As of 2014 there was no evidence-based research available on misophonia. Some small studies show that people with misophonia generally have strong negative feelings, thoughts, and physical reactions to specific sounds, which the literature calls "trigger sounds." These sounds are apparently usually soft, but can be loud. One study found that around 80% of the sounds were related to the mouth (eating, yawning, etc.) and around 60% were repetitive. A visual trigger may develop related to the trigger sound.[1]
Reactions to the triggers can include aggression toward the origin of the sound, leaving, or remaining in its presence but suffering, trying to block it, or trying to mimic the sound.[1]
The first misophonic reaction may occur when a person is young, and can originate from someone in a close relationship, or a pet.[1]
People with misophonia are aware they experience it and that it is not normal; the disruption it causes to their lives ranges from mild to severe.[1]
Mechanism
The mechanism of misophonia is not known, but it appears that like tinnitus and hyperacusis, it is a dysfunction of the central auditory system in the brain and not of the ears; there appears to be an association with how neurons connect within the brain.[4]:254
Diagnosis
There are no standard diagnostic criteria.[1] Misophonia is distinguished from hyperacusis, which is not specific to a given sound and does not involve a similar strong reaction, and from phonophobia, which is a fear of a specific sound,[4]:254 but it may occur with either.[5]
It is not clear whether people with misophonia usually have comorbid conditions, nor whether there is a genetic component.[1]
Management
There are no evidence-based treatments for the condition; health care providers generally try to help people cope with it by recognizing what the person is experiencing, and by working on coping strategies with the person.[1] Some small studies have been published on the use of sound therapy similar to tinnitus retraining therapy and on cognitive behavioral therapy to help people become less aware of the trigger sound.[1][2]
Epidemiology
The prevalence is not known; it is not known whether men or women, or older or younger people, tend to have misophonia.[1]
Society and culture
Misophonia was first proposed as a medical condition by Pawel Jastreboff and Margaret Jastreboff in a 2000 publication.[2]
People who experience misophonia have formed online support groups.[6]
Notable people with misophonia
See also
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Barron Lerner for the New York Times. Feb 23, 2015 NY Times Article Please Stop Making That Noise
- ↑ ABC News Link 20/20 May 18, 2012 Misophonia: Kelly Ripa Has Rare Disorder
Further reading
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
