[Ihani]

I've had a problem from years where I will get irrationally angry over noises. My biggest one is when people chomp and smack their lips. That is utterly agonizing for me. I often have to move and cover my ears to keep from hitting them or stabbing them with a utensil of some sort. Once I had to sit by a kid in church who chomped his gum for an hour, and I got so enraged I kind of lost grip of reality and started crying and felt like nothing was real. My sister smacks her lips ALL THE TIME, and I often glare at her or record her eating to show how disruptive she is until my parents yell at me for it.

Other than that, hearing people breath also makes me really angry. My dad breathes really loud, and I've often had the urge to hit him for it. In addition, hearing people type on keyboards when nobody else is or when I'm focusing on something makes me lose all focus and sometimes so mad that I start crying and hitting my desk (etc).

Kissing also bothers me. My parents think it's funny to kiss in front of me to make me uncomfortable, but they don't realize when they do that it makes me livid. The other day they did it, and my fists balled up and my vision and breathing got shaky and I wanted to run to the kitchen and grab a knife but fortunately they stopped. Unfortunately, they yelled at me when I asked them to stop doing that, telling me to get over it.

The only other noise I can remember at the moment is the sound of grinding teeth. My sister grinds her teeth at night, and I used to have to share a bed with her a lot, and she usually would wake me up because she would grind so loud. I retaliated by yelling at her and there were a few instances where I hit her so hard I woke her up. I always felt really bad because I would smack her chest and it would scare her, but it was driving me insane.

So, is this something I should be checking out or not? Thanks for your feedback!

[Merryflower]

I think it may be a good idea to see a doctor or counsellor about that issue. (hugs)

[reesecups]

Actually, one name for this is Misophonia. I have it too. The is are some things you can do about it, Google is your friend.

When you can, you can use earplugs, put small headset in your ear to muffle sound and/or use them to play comforting music. Frankly if it gets real bad, I often just leave the room. It is just too overwhelming. I believe an audiologist was actually the one who first mentioned the condition and, I believe she called it something like Selective Sound Sensitivity?

I've read that sometimes desensitization can often work. Stress definitely makes mine worse.

People swallowing, sipping (especially coffee in the morning) and clinking their fork against heir plate or making noise when they eat are real big triggers. Even in group, where we are not supposed to eat, some people do, and if it is really getting to me, I'm allowed to walk out for a while. In fact, this happened just last Friday. When I'm less stressed,it isn't as bad, but it is still there.

If something works for you, it would be great if you can post.

[Lexi232]

I would suggest speaking to a pdoc or therapist. Because that could be any number of Dx's..
You might wanna look into aspergers, and other autism spectrum disorders.
OCD also comes to mind too.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by Lexi232

I would suggest speaking to a pdoc or therapist. Because that could be any number of Dx's..
You might wanna look into aspergers, and other autism spectrum disorders.
OCD also comes to mind too.

Frankly, I didn't have much luck talking to my therps or pdoc about it..In fact, the seemed a little undereducated about it. Only one therp was willing to do a little research about it and she's the one who suggested the earplugs and or ear buds to block the noise. I believe that if is considered a mental health issue, but there is some success with an OT or specially trained audiologist.

I think that I read that people with this issue usually have excellent hearing. But I agree there is usually some sort of psychological component to it.

[roads]

A cousin was bullied unrelentingly both at school and at home. Why? No idea--he seemed like a great guy to me & I never heard anything negative about him, until he joined the Navy during the Korean "police action."
While training in Jacksonville, he suddenly turned up at our door early one morning--AWOL. He was sober but in all other ways a mess. "I can't go back," & "don't tell my folks," was all he could say. Most sounds he jumped at, which he apologized for.
My mother took on his family while my father called the local U.S. Congressman (a good friend, thank god), who personally got him to the best naval psychiatrist in the area. He was given a medical release because of childhood trauma resulting in untreated obsessive-compulsive disorder. His obsessions focused on mostly normal noises, which had always annoyed him--things most people cane tune out but he couldn't ... He seemed to hear them more focused and piercing. So he was in treatment for two years, then discharged.

Please understand that I'm not suggesting that you were abused or bullied--or are now experiencing OCD!! My cuz lives in a big Sports city, though, and still gets group counseling for this--usually at a sports bar. His wife swears it's the reason they're still together. But for many it's simply a hearing disorder.

Just another oddball angle of this mental illness world. At least we're all in it together, eh? Illness loves company?

But YES, absolutely ... check up till you're satisfied!!

Roadie

[MoxieDoxie]

Hyperacusis
Fact Sheet: Hyperacusis

Anger and rage wells up in me when the fire alarm goes off, the timer on the microwave, car alarms, clicking and beeping and clicking and BEEPING!! Drives in into a froth!

Ok with that said..........I recognize it is a PTSD symptoms and I do my breathing and say it will be over soon. I have been able to tolerate it better now then in the past.

[ToeJam]

I just wondered if this is some kind of phobia that provokes the fight/flight response... in your case 'fight'.

I can't stand the sound of people brushing their teeth... if the wife is in the bathroom with me, or I see an advert come on the tv or people are brushing their teeth in a tv program... I have to leave the room as quickly as bloody possible... it send chills all up my body.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by ToeJam

I just wondered if this is some kind of phobia that provokes the fight/flight response... in your case 'fight'.

I can't stand the sound of people brushing their teeth... if the wife is in the bathroom with me, or I see an advert come on the tv or people are brushing their teeth in a tv program... I have to leave the room as quickly as bloody possible... it send chills all up my body.

Oh! I understand completely! Actually my BIL. Keeps a toothbrush by his seat in the living room and instead of going into the bathroom to brush his teeth, he actually does it in the living room. I'm not sure whether it's just so disgusting to me or it's the noise, but it drives me up the wall!

FYI. There is an on-line support group on yahoo for this, ran by the two people who identified it. I just joined.

[Ihani]

I guess I should have mentioned I AM diagnosed with OCD, so that may just be a component too.

[Rohag]

Originally Posted by reesecups

Actually, one name for this is Misophonia. I have it too.

And I have it too.

It would be interesting to research what percentage of people diagnosed with a mental illness also suffer from misophonia and/or hyperacusis.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by Rohag

And I have it too.

It would be interesting to research what percentage of people diagnosed with a mental illness also suffer from misophonia and/or hyperacusis.

Sounds like an interesting survey!

[shezbut]

I have been diagnosed with hyperacusis by an Audiologist, who did all sorts of tests in an acoustic foam room.

Btw, she highly recommended that I don't wear headphones to avoid the sound. Instead, I was highly encouraged to slowly de-sensitize myself a decibel at a time. Awfully difficult to do in the real world though.

[reesecups]

Yes, I had heard that desensitization is something that is being tried. I don't think I could handle that. You would think that after years upon years of this problem I would be desensitized, but it hasn't.

[reesecups]

Also, I 'm having trouble believing this is some kind of mental health issue. I haven't seen a lot of research that would show that it is mire per leant in the mentally ill. Also, if it were a mental disorder, why are the few people who specialize in treating this disorder audiologists? I would think it would be a mental health professional.

I don't want to assume my mental health is the reason. Of course on a mental health web site you would actually see more people with conditions reporting it, BUT I would like to see some sites that actually this disorder to only people, or a prevelance of people who suffer from mental illness.

[Rohag]

My current understanding is that misophonia is considered a neurological disorder. It's effects are such, though, that I would not be surprised to learn it could contribute to a higher risk of developing a mental illness, much the same way those with chronic diseases run a higher risk of developing depression.

NY Times Article
Misophonia.com

[avlady]

In the morning is when I'm at my worst about sounds, i have to wake up completely before i feel like I'm ok. i feel like punching a wall when i hear noises especially in the morning. My son also hates it when i sip my coffee, i don't blame him, as i know how it feels to have this problem.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by Rohag

My current understanding is that misophonia is considered a neurological disorder. It's effects are such, though, that I would not be surprised to learn it could contribute to a higher risk of developing a mental illness, much the same way those with chronic diseases run a higher risk of developing depression.

NY Times Article
Misophonia.com

Agreed. Sort of like Tourette's Syndrome. Only slightly different in that it was originally considered psychiatric and it was only really considered neurological fairly recently. With TS you simply tend to have what are considered to be MH issues, such as OCD. And where I'm from, a shrink frankly knew how to treat the TS better. I remember one neurologist laughing when he found out I had TS. And then saying something like "so do you cuss"? I mean, how uneducated can you be?

[MuseumGhost]

I believe I suffer from a fairly mild form of hyperacusis, so I am fairly sensitive to noise.

My reactions to it became really elevated when my depression and anxiety were at their worst. In fact, this is one of the things that made me finally face it all, and get myself to a doctor for a diagnosis.

I still respond badly to loud, intrusive sounds when my depression flares up, and I am sympathetic about the anger/anxiety component of it very well.

Of course, saying it another way, the symptoms of anxiety and iritation loud/irritating sounds produced has also diminished with treatment and time.

I still have trouble in crowded places, like in grocery/department stores during busy times, or if someone is playing a stereo super-loud (yeah, thanks so much for sharing THAT bassline with me!), etc. Intrusive noise just is what it is. I manage these things the best I can, heading out the door at quieter times, etc.

A sound machine (with digital recordings of many different nature sounds) REALLY helped me with the recurring noise from a very inconsiderate neighbour, and might have saved me from doing serious jailtime!

I do think it's something you will eventually find relief from. Keep knocking on those doors until you find a doc who gets it.

AND----I love what reesecups suggested. All these tools can get you through an awful lot of sticky situations.

[icinggurl]

I have misophonia and OCD too. I'm beginning to wonder if those two things go together in general.......

OMG! I thought it was just me!

The worst is the beeping sound cars make when the door is open. After a few beeps I literally have to get out of the car and far away enough so that I can't hear it.

Basketballs bouncing on concrete sends me into a rage.

Little children with that high pitched screaming.

Once the fire alarm went off when I was visiting a hospital and I freaked out and ran for the nearest exit.

Any repetative, high pitched noise like the one's mentioned above.

And I have tinitus. I can hear the blood rushing through my brain and my heartbeat is so loud it's almost unbearable.

Thanks for letting me know this is a real medical condition.

[Calm]

As I've aged my sensitivity to various sounds has increased significantly. I attributed it to the PTSD and OCD because many sounds make me literally jump. Simple things like the doorbell ringing, phone ringing, knocking on my door, and then the obnoxious extremely loud volume that neighbors have their stereo systems set to. Barking totally drives me up the wall, and I wish the pet owners would realize not everyone appreciates the annoying sounds of their pets especially when they make no attempt to quiet them. I've been wearing earplugs at night for years to block out some of the snoring from my husband. I'm just curious as to what percentage of the US population is extremely sensitive to noises.

[Mysterious Flyer]

OK, I'm a noise-hater too, but I don't have it nearly as bad as you guys. Here's the thing. I recently bought a new car. The freaking thing BEEPS when it's in reverse, when my seatbelt isn't on, when the door is open but it's not in park. I am like "Car, SHUT UP!" I purposefully live on the outskirts of town in a big house on a big lot because I get realllllly mad at noises that people make. Kids screaming in the streets, the blaring sound of music or TVs. Loud vehicles. I have told people to shut up. To their faces.

But what can I do about the car? I'm afraid that if I hire someone to disable the beeping sounds, then it will void the warranty. I am fond of the car and I named the car, but I can't stand the beeeeeeppppppiiiinnnngggg.

[Calm]

Yes, there are certain beeps from machines that are so irritating. My stove's timer has a loud ear piercing beep. I wish they would have an option on appliances, like they do with cell phones, where you could select a special sound. Geesh, seems just about every appliance and other gizmo beeps today. I survived just fine for a long time with appliances that didn't beep. I do appreciate my car dinging if I leave my keys in the ignition. It's a pleasant sound though and not irritating. Thank heavens!

People: eating noisily with mouth open or closed, chewing gum, sniffing, biting nails, fidgeting, talking continuously, talking loudly. I have to get away from them before I scream!