Are you easily irritated by the sound of someone chewing or breathing? Well, you aren’t the only one to be emotionally and physiologically triggered by certain sounds.
The human mind is complex. Decades of research have helped crack down on some of its vital functions, but what causes someone to react to specific noises similarly is not well known. But there’s good news – it’s treatable.
Misophonia is a real condition
If you get easily triggered by the sound of people chewing, slurping, or even a fork against a plate, you’re likely suffering from Misophonia.
Misophonia is an actual disorder in which certain sounds stir strong emotional and physiological responses that may seem unreasonable to others.
The responses include and are not limited to anger, disgust, and anxiety among others. While these sounds may be treated as normal and mundane by others, they tend to leave you extremely irritated.
London-based surgeon Dr. Karan Raj describes the condition as an “extreme hatred of sound” in his TikTok videos. He says the response to the sounds by people with Misophonia “goes beyond the simple annoyance or sensitivity like hyperacusis.”
The emotions someone with the disorder experiences fall on a spectrum and can range from “disgust to fury.” According to Dr. Karan, the condition is too rare, and nearly one in five people are believed to have it.
The common condition is treatable
While the causes of Misophonia are yet to be fully established, the Doctor says the condition is treatable and there are also preventable measures to save you from the emotional rollercoaster.
For instance, if you have to attend lunch or dinner with a lot of people unaware of your condition, the doctor suggests using noise-cancellation headphones just to block out all the sounds that can leave you infuriated.
The Cleveland Clinic recommends turning to a different sound of your choice for your mind to focus on, upon being exposed to any noise that can be triggering.
However, the above option may not work best in all circumstances, and if you’re considering a permanent solution, the doctor suggests practicing mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychological treatment used to treat several mental conditions by understanding factors in an individual’s thinking causing problems.
Dr. Karan Rajan is a certified NHS surgeon from London with over seven years of experience. After graduating from Imperial College London, he’s currently serving as a lecturer at Sunderland University.
He is best known for his TikTok videos related to health and medicine which he uses to educate his followers. He identifies himself as a ‘speaker’ and ‘educator’ with millions of followers across social media, which he has gained by combining his expertise with entertainment.
