Eliyahu Serkez | Misophonia Therapy | Misophonia Specialist Ramsey New Jersey

MISOPHONIA

What is Misophonia?

Misophonia is a condition where individuals experience strong, adverse reactions to specific sounds. These reactions often include feelings of irritation, annoyance, anger, or rage towards those making the sounds. In some cases, it can provoke a desire to punish or hurt the person responsible for the noise. While a wide range of sounds can trigger these reactions, certain noises, like eating related sounds are reported more frequently. Although relatively unknown to most, misophonia affects about 6% of the population according to recent studies.

What are some common triggers?

Chewing

Crunching

Lip Smacking

Sipping

Coughing

Sniffing

Clearing Throat

Clicking

Tapping

Breathing related sounds

Chewing Sniffing

Crunching Clearing throat

Lip smacking Clicking

Sipping Tapping

Coughing Breathing related sounds

What does Misophonia feel like?

Those suffering from misophonia typically experience intense emotional reactions to specific sounds. People describe feeling as if they are "being attacked" and "trapped" by the noise maker who is doing it intentionally. They feel uncomfortable physical sensations (body tension – stress – ear hurting) and a confusing feeling of anger and rage towards the individual making the sounds. Triggers can also increase in intensity during "bad" or "stressful" days. Research indicates that these sounds are often only triggering if made by specific people (frequently close family members) and later “spread” to other people.

How do people with misophonia feel?
People with Misophonia describe feeling an intense and immediate reaction when they hear "the sound". The noise doesn't just annoy them—it triggers a strong emotional response, ranging from irritation, to anger and rage. They feel like they can't escape it, and it completely takes over their thoughts.

They might feel an overwhelming urge to stop the sound, sometimes even wanting to lash out at the person making it. It can be so intense that they start avoiding situations where they might hear these noises, leading to feelings of isolation and frustration. It’s like living with an ever present threat that keeps them on edge all the time."

How do people usually respond to Misophonia triggers?

To manage the discomfort of misophonia, individuals often try to find ways to make life more bearable. Some use headphones to block out the offending sounds with music or white noise. Many prefer to eat alone to avoid the sounds of others eating. However, avoiding triggers often leads to decreased functionality and a lower quality of life.

Does misophonia get better without treatment?

Unfortunately no.

We find that without treatment, Misophonia often extends to more people, situations, and new sounds over time, making it increasingly challenging to manage. This may be because, although avoidance may work at times, people usually find that avoidance can increase sensitivity to sounds, making it even more difficult to cope with misophonia triggers. We call this The Vicious Cycle of Misophonia (click here to learn more).

Is misophonia a type of OCD?

Misophonia shares some similarities with OCD, as both involve triggers that cause intense emotions and discomfort, leading to behaviors aimed at reducing these negative feelings. However, Misophonia differs from OCD in a fundamental way. While OCD triggers an anxiety and fear response, causing individuals to engage in compulsions to decrease worry or reduce uncertainty, Misophonia triggers lead to a response of anger towards the person making the sound. This distinction is crucial as it necessitates different treatment approaches for Misophonia.

For further reading please click here

Is there treatment for Misophonia?

Yes!

At The Anxiety & OCD Therapy Practice, we treat misophonia with a form of acceptance-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is based on a model of misophonia that explains how it first develops and persists. The treatment protocol, developed by a mentor of mine, Dr Ezra Cowen, and recently published in the Journal for Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, is called Experiential Acceptance and Stimulus Engagement (EASE) click here to learn more. This protocol is designed to address the factors that keep a person “stuck” in a vicious cycle of avoiding unwanted triggers only to find that the triggers are increasing and becoming less tolerable. EASE is based on the premise that the more we avoid triggering sounds and discomfort, the more we become aware and bothered by the sounds. EASE teaches people how to stop engaging in efforts to avoid and change triggers that cannot be changed. Though difficult, as sufferers stop avoiding triggers, the sounds will become less noticeable, leading to a decrease in misophonia symptoms.

In addition to my work here at the Anxiety & OCD Therapy Practice, I am fortunate to work with Dr Cowen, a true pioneer in researching and treating Misophonia/Misokinisia. I presently spend some of my time at Dr Cowen's "Center for OCD and Misophonia" where I continue to practice and apply EASE in both Misophonia therapy and Misokinisia therapy.