[biotitehippo]

I wasn't quite sure where to post this... If there is already a thread or forum for it, please let me know!

So, I've recently (in the past year) learned about misophonia from my Mom, who laughs about me having it. No one in my family seems to understand, except my Mom... kind of. Despite my asking for them to "Please stop chewing so loudly." they either chew louder or don't care.

I end up feeling really bad about it. I think part of the reason I get so depressed is because I feel like I'm a piece of crap for asking people to stop breathing so loudly or not chew in my general direction.

How do you deal with this? I have to sleep with earplugs when I'm visiting my boyfriend, because he's a smoker and breathes really loud. I'm living with my aunt while I'm at college and I have to wear my headphones to deal with her breathing. (Also a smoker.)

I've heard of people taking antidepressants to deal with the feelings of misophonia. Is anyone currently doing this? Does it really help?

[Artchic528]

Hmm. Sensitivity to sounds? I've heard of this. I think that there is some sort of surgery one can undergo to lessen the heightened hearing they have. Or maybe I'm thinking of something else....

EDIT: I've done a really quick search and realized I've been completely thinking of something else. In regards to Misophonia, I've read that both Exposure Therapy and CBT are ways one can use to lessen their sensitivity. Of course, one would need to find a T who will do these. ADs are another method, but no conclusive evidence supports their prolonged useage with successful treatment of Misophonia. Then again, Misophonia is rather hard to diagnose, mostly because there is no tangible evidence of it's existence, rather the behaviors, accounts and reactions of the patient is all one can go by for treatment.

I'm sorry you are suffering from this, and the lack of sensitivity thereof by your family and boyfriend. It must be really difficult.

[leejosepho]

Suppressing my senses and/or normal brain function is not a strategy I typically use. In some cases I do look for quiet moments when I can explain to someone that certain sounds affect me greatly, and my overall goal there is related to hoping others will at least try to understand and then possibly try to reduce or even eliminate a given sound or two (at least around me) in the future. However, I long ago stopped asking people to "Please cut that out!" or "Please stop that!" or whatever since there is actually nothing at all wrong with people making sounds and it is unreasonable to believe the entire world must automatically know and understand my particular deal and then immediately adjust for me.

[Crazy Hitch]

I absolutely loathe the sound of anyone chewing anywhere near me or slurping their coffee too loudly. It drives me insane.

[Artchic528]

My mother goes absolutely off the wall if anyone chomps gum in her general direction. Then again, the amount of people who go around chewing gum like they are a cow chewing her cud is rather unattractive, IMHO, so I really shouldn't complain (though I'll admit I am guilty of this quite often). I will say I try and respect my mother and not chew gum while in the same car or otherwise in close proximity to her. Well, it's more like it's an unspoken rule in my family.