What is Misophonia?
Do you find yourself gnashing your teeth, clenching your hands, wanting – needing – to scream with rage for what seems like no reason, except that someone nearby is clicking a pen, eating a carrot, using a lot of “s” words in a conversation? Have you thought something’s “wrong” with you because you feel such strong emotional responses to sounds others don’t even seem to hear? Guess what? You’re not alone!
Welcome to Misophonia Online – a website developed & maintained by volunteers to promote awareness of a condition in which the person suffers from an extreme intolerance to certain sounds – sounds that are considered normal everyday sounds.
The term Misophonia was developed by an American neuroscientists Pawel Jastreboff and Margaret Jastreboff, during this period Dr. Marsha Johnson (Aud) labeled this condition “Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome” to address the sub class of indivuals that did not hate all sound but only particular sounds. She started a Yahoo support group which has 3,500+ members, and membership continues to grow. You may find the support group here. The condition has been called many things – Soft Sound Sensitivity Syndrome, SSSS, SSS, 4S, Hyperacusis, Phonophobia, Misophonia - for those who suffer, the name is not important. Far more important is the knowledge that those who suffer are not alone – that an entire support network does exist and that research for a cure is being conducted. Here, we will use the name “misophonia” as it literally means ‘the hatred of sound’.
On this website, you will find resources to help you learn about the condition, coping mechanisms and tips to help you reduce your symptoms. We have a forum with public and private support sections, as well as separate sections for friends and family members. We even have a self-test here so you may possibly further define your symptoms.
For more information about this condition and the stimuli that can trigger reactions for one with misophonia, please see our Symptoms & Triggers page.
