When sounds trigger emotional disturbances.
Misophonia is described as a person who suffers from repetitive sounds or action disorder. This can come in the form of chewing, tapping of the pen, ticking of clocks, slurping, and even the chirping of birds that becomes extremely annoying. The annoyance can lead to a level where the sounds become “unbearable” and in some extreme cases can even ruin a person’s life. Misophonia has visual triggers as well, which can include rubbing of the nose, twirling of the hair and even wagging of the feet. The earliest symptoms of Misophonia can be identified between the age of 9-13 year in most individuals.
What is Misophonia?
Misophonia is a Greek word, meaning “hatred of sound”. Misophonia is also termed as “selective sound sensitivity disorder” and is thought to be cause by early childhood trauma. It is thought to be an abnormality occurring in the brain as the individual suffers from psychological and physiological symptoms however there is also a strong consensus that the stress responses are due to hyper sensitivity caused by trauma that results in PTSD.
Symptoms
In very simple terms Misophonia is the hypersensitivity towards sounds that can cause symptoms including irritation, annoyance, disgust, anxiety, panic attacks, rage, lashing out, OCD, self-isolation and depression. Individual who is suffering from misophonia may react to very common and everyday sounds in a way that a stress response of fight/flight is stimulate in the nervous system that activates a hyper – aroused trauma state.
Misophonia Stressed – Anxiety – Depression
If not treated then the response or reaction of people can become worse as many people experience stress, anxiety, panic attacks, anger and depression. People may start avoiding other people, stop socializing and end up isolating themselves permanently.
Misophonia treatment
- Hypnosis
Hypnosis or hypnotherapy is the most commonly used misophonia treatment. The main idea of this treatment is to reduce the reaction to sounds and its intensity. It doesn’t get rid of the trigger but it helps the individual with their reaction to the trigger. It is done by reducing the strength of the reaction in the auditory channel.
- Mindfulness training by Misophonia
Mindfulness training involves meditation where the person is more aware of his own physical and mental condition. Using mindful meditation, the person is encouraged to makes sound a part of her/his meditation and then becomes aware of his own reaction to a specific sound. The person suffering from misophonia can practice mindfulness meditation everyday with the goal of building resistance and lessening the reaction to the sound or visual cue. Initially, it can be very uncomfortable and annoying, but as you keep training. It really helps!
- EDMR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
EDMR is a bilateral stimulation process. The eye movement desensitization and reprocessing help in healing trauma, behaviors, disruptive beliefs and even character structure patterns.
There are some memories or sounds that remain unprocessed and it can lead to negative actions and emotions. The EDMR therapy is very helpful for people suffering with misophonia because it helps them reprocess those memories. It basically rewires the negative sensations or emotions with the positive ones.
- Thought Field Therapy
It is another type of psychotherapy that manipulates the energy of the body in order to reduce any kind of disturbance or distress that an individual may feel. TFT tapping is a therapy that helps in identifying any anxieties and trauma related to past. The individual tapping sequences ensure that the individual starts feeling relief or better the same day.
TFT has various tools that help people in the paths of their lives and they optimize the well-being of people as well. For example
- Develops focus and awareness
- Allows people to trust themselves while eliminating negative talk
- Reduces anger and frustration
- Allows people to make better choices
When people are going through hard times, they may take a turn towards negative thoughts, emotions and may even be involved in fear-based activities. The end result of anxiety and self-doubt is paralysis of action most of the times. Due to the trauma of the past, people end up making poor or no choices because of a lack of focus on the present. When people are able to maintain focus, they focus on their goals and are more engaged in their present. When people feel stability and peace in their lives, they can easily achieve their goals and feel “in control” of their life direction. Working with a trained psychotherapist that can offer a holistic approach of different modalities to best fit your personal needs can be one step closer to living with ease. At www.yolandehart.com we offer holistic wellness training to help you navigate this challenging situation.
