[shelterdog71]

Just wondering if anyone else here suffers from 4S?

Per their website (which I can't post a link to because I'm a new member):

"Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome or 4S is an intense and immediate emotional and physiological reaction (possibly rage, frustration, sadness, or panic) upon hearing certain sounds - most prominently noises associated with oral functions such as eating, breathing, chewing or other noises such as typing sounds or pencils scratching."


I always thought I was crazy for thinking this way but now I know there are tons of others out there with this same affliction. I just found this a few months ago and had my "Hallelujah!!" moment. It's not just me!!!

The same sounds that are oblivious to others make me run in the bathroom and cry. At every job I've ever had, every class I've ever taken, or any public place I've ever been at, there's been a gum cracker or food smacker sitting right next to me. (Others don't even notice the sound if I ask them) Crunching chips totally puts me over the edge.... It's like absolute torture. I dealt with non stop gum cracking all through high school and to this day cannot tolerate even the THOUGHT of gum chewing. I even freak out if I can't hear it but just see the person's jaw moving back and forth.

It also makes you think that the person is crunching and smacking deliberately just to mess with you and upset you on purpose. I get so angry I want to choke the person to death and wish terrible things on them.

I would LOVE to hear from others that suffer from this. It's making my life hell and always has. It usually starts around the age of puberty and NEVER goes away. As a kid I either ate dinner in my room, or wore headphones to the dinner table because my dad smacks really bad. My mom always knew I was quirky and never thought anything of it. Growing up I never understood it, thought I was crazy, and just tolerated it. Now as an adult it's even worse. At work I have to wear earplugs if anybody is eating near me and making noise. I also have to keep a fan running constantly to drown out their eating sounds. The coworker that sits next to me is a horrible trigger... Everything about him bothers me - his voice, the way he drinks, how he swallows, talks with his mouth full, crunching, etc. And he's NOT doing anything wrong nor making alot of noise. Plus he's a nice guy and I like him alot. It's just me and this damned 4S.

[Rohag]

Hello & Welcome, Shelterdog71! Check out the following threads:
Other People's Sounds
Noises Triggering Anxiety

[Hunny]

Shelterdog71,

My sister had this. She couldn't stand the sound of the dad whistling or people eating, especially apples or people smacking their lips while eating. She used to get enraged when the dad was whistling and she would close/slam the bedroom door and hit the wall with her fist or kick the wall with her feet. I never understood why she wouldn't ask him to stop whistling. He was whistling around 'merrily' usually but she was just so agitated it used to frighten me. When I ate an apple in front of her I chewed very slowly as much as I could. I don't know that she ever told him. I never see her now and I don't miss her rages at all! But, hopefully there is a way for you to find some peace in all of this

[lastyearisblank]

wow i hope that you aren't offended but i think this is kind of cool!

i think jane austen suffered from something similar.

i feel the same way when i hear people writing on chalkboards... arghhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

[IceCreamKid]

[quote=shelterdog71;1660671]Just wondering if anyone else here suffers from 4S?

Per their website (which I can't post a link to because I'm a new member):

"Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome or 4S is an intense and immediate emotional and physiological reaction (possibly rage, frustration, sadness, or panic) upon hearing certain sounds - most prominently noises associated with oral functions such as eating, breathing, chewing or other noises such as typing sounds or pencils scratching."

How is this not just a trigger that could be addressed by therapy of one sort or another, or is that what the explanation is, according to what you read? I feel and have felt some of what you describe, but I can generally connect the dots as to why I have the reaction I do. The fact that the sounds, according to your post, are 'oral' or [outcomes of] or other, human activity makes me wonder if maybe the root problem is with the person or whoever the person represents and the 'safe' outlet for the discomfort is to hate the sound and not to recognize - or not to be able to face - it is the person one has the problem with? I know someone who has a whole, long list of hates and 'immediate, intense reactions' but who also has a list of specific life choices that have brought her to her present miserable situation, including that long list of hates. I don't mean to be lecture-y; I'm genuinely trying to understand.

[shelterdog71]

This whole thing was so weird for me my whole life. I always suffered in silence because I thought I was crazy. I mean, why would someone eating bother me so bad? And why only certain people?

I recently started a new job and the guy that sits next to me ENRAGES me when he eats anything... even when he drinks. I was so upset one day I just Googled something like "angry when people eat loudly" and all this info about 4S came up. I almost cried I was so happy!!!

They aren't sure if it's a neurological thing, a hearing disorder, or even some form of autism. I do know that it's pure hell...

I have to keep earplugs with me all the time. I don't go to the movies because someone might eat popcorn. If I go in a store and the clerk is chewing gum, I leave. If I hear food packages being opened I start to freak out. At work I spend alot of time in the bathroom on "Mexican Day" when they order from this place and everyone crunches chips.

I've only told 2 people about this, my mom and my best friend. My mom sorta believes it but thinks I should "just get over it". My best friend is much more understanding and knows not to crunch, smack, or chew gum when we are together. Actually her 16 year old daughter is starting to show signs of 4S... she gets really mad when people eat and crunch.

I'm just happy to find a place like this where I can discuss my problems and nobody will laugh at me or make fun of me.

Hello, shelterdog71. I am glad you found a name for what plagues you. I wonder if you are entitled to an accommodation?

http://askjan.org/media/atoz.htm