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Original poster

Overcoming Misophonia?

66 replies

Wildernesstips · 03/11/2020 19:11

Anyone successfully managed to reduce the rage caused by misophonia by CBT or hypnotherapy? I’m getting desperate, and I swear the menopause is making it worse.

I literally have to shut two doors and put headphones on when DH eats granola and I still get murderous.

OP posts:
milkjetmum · 03/11/2020 19:14

I read that it is somehow it is easier to tolerate if you imagine it being an animal making the noise eg cute dog eating dog biscuits. Something about it being a person is part of the problem. Let me know if that works, read that idea when looking up strategies for my dd

thedevilinablackdress · 03/11/2020 19:22

Here for some tips and to show solidarity. I agree that (peri)menopause is probably making it worse. And, you know, 2020

AWiseWomanOnceSaidFuckThisShit · 03/11/2020 19:26

I completely agree with the animal thing and I suffer with this terribly. I'm in tears sometimes just from someone eating a packet of crisps or an apple. Yet I watched a bunny slopping on raspberries and it was so cute my heart broke to pieces. CBT did fuck all. Watching with interest...

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Original poster
Wildernesstips · 03/11/2020 19:29

@thedevilinablackdress yeah, I am sure the proximity is making it worse.

@milkjetmum thanks, I’ll give it a go and report back.

I’ve just looked up a local hypnotherapist (not really picked the best moment for this going into lockdown). £65 a session, so I feel I need some success or even partial success stories first.

OP posts:
Willow4987 · 03/11/2020 19:36

I saw a CBT therapist and we did tapping which definitely helped

everythingbackbutyou · 03/11/2020 19:38

No solutions, but solidarity from me. Crinkling packets and slurping make me want to fly at the person and attack them. It's ridiculous, and whenever I try and explain it to other people, they look at me like I must be exaggerating. It's so much more than the noise being 'a bit annoying'.

oodlenoodles · 03/11/2020 19:46

Oh god the granola. It makes me want to wriggle out of my skin! Also loud cutlery on plates, on teeth, it's worse when it's my lovely DH as well Sadwatching with interest as I need to sort it out

Mxflamingnoravera · 03/11/2020 20:09

Mine was so bad when I worked in a shared office that I went to see occupational health. The dr had never heard of misophonia but accepted that it was causing me angst and "prescribed" screens around my desk and noise cancelling headphones which my workplace supplied.

It worked for a while but I then got triggered by the mere smell of their slurpy coffee or the sight of a banana. In the end I told my team (I was the manager) and they were really understanding and ate their bananas when I was out at a meeting. But then I developed a hate of the sound of space bars being thumped on their keyboards. In the end I used the loudest drumming or reggae music I could tolerate in my headphones and carried a pot of menthol crystals to sniff on.

Home working has been the single most helpful thing ever for my misophonia.

Original poster
Wildernesstips · 03/11/2020 20:56

Oh @Mxflamingnoravera that sounds horrific.

OP posts:
LilyMyOneAndOnly · 03/11/2020 22:13

Mine is terrible but I don't seem to be as affected when I'm eating myself. Agree with the WFH saving my sanity (and waistline!) as previously I had to eat the moment I heard anyone else eat otherwise I'd want to hurt them!!

LilyMyOneAndOnly · 03/11/2020 22:14

Mine is terrible but I don't seem to be as affected when I'm eating myself. Agree with the WFH saving my sanity (and waistline!) as previously I had to eat the moment I heard anyone else eat otherwise I'd want to hurt them!!

myfatiguehastiredness · 03/11/2020 22:22

Mine is dreadful. My husband's chomping is making me murderous and I'm eating meals with my finger stuck in one ear. Am seriously considering wearing headphones. It's deffo worse at home.

theliverpoolone · 03/11/2020 22:48

Oh my gosh, watching this thread desperate for some advice. My dd (13) has developed this recently and is reacting quite severely to me eating or sniffing. There's just me and her at home and I'm finding it quite difficult to manage. I'm trying to eat as quietly as I can, but she still reacts. She ended up finishing her dinner in her bedroom today otherwise she couldn't eat it, and I felt dreadful. Sorry to hijack the thread, but what is the best way of helping her? I feel so helpless to think that she will have to live with this permanently and that it's likely to get worse rather than better Sad

theliverpoolone · 03/11/2020 22:53

Oh my gosh, watching this thread desperate for some advice. My dd (13) has developed this recently and is reacting quite severely to me eating or sniffing. There's just me and her at home and I'm finding it quite difficult to manage. I'm trying to eat as quietly as I can, but she still reacts. She ended up finishing her dinner in her bedroom today otherwise she couldn't eat it, and I felt dreadful. Sorry to hijack the thread, but what is the best way of helping her? I feel so helpless to think that she will have to live with this permanently and that it's likely to get worse rather than better Sad

theliverpoolone · 03/11/2020 22:54

Oh my gosh, watching this thread desperate for some advice. My dd (13) has developed this recently and is reacting quite severely to me eating or sniffing. There's just me and her at home and I'm finding it quite difficult to manage. I'm trying to eat as quietly as I can, but she still reacts. She ended up finishing her dinner in her bedroom today otherwise she couldn't eat it, and I felt dreadful. Sorry to hijack the thread, but what is the best way of helping her? I feel so helpless to think that she will have to live with this permanently and that it's likely to get worse rather than better Sad

lastnightthemooncame · 03/11/2020 22:54

I started when I was around 5, waxed and waned throughout life, I wish you luck OP as at peri menopause it got so that I was having full blown anxiety attacks again- ending up slumped on ground etc etc, worst it's been since in my teens- it's been slightly, but noticeably, improved by upping my hrt/estrogen part of cycle (progesterone part of cycle gets it back to awful levels) & using earplugs etc, but it's had enormous effect- single for one thing! I don't know why I'm being so trite about it..it's turned me into a hermit in lots of ways.
It was suggested by an OT that I get assessed for sensory processing disorder to help get accommodations in work etc but I was jumping through hoops, GP losing referral, funding probs etc, so just gave up after a year of trying. Following for others input too. X

TheFallenMadonna · 03/11/2020 22:55

My DD wears earplugs during dinner, and always carries them so she can slip them in if necessary. Her friends all know and are pretty good at helping her avoid difficult situations.

EatTheHamTina · 03/11/2020 22:57

Mine is absolutely awful. I go into full blown rage with my partner and end up mimicking him.
I know it's horrible for him as he said he feels on edge eating around me or even itching can trigger it. I feel bad. My son on the other hand can make any noise and it doesn't effect me.

QueenPaws · 03/11/2020 22:57

@theliverpoolone mine started around that age. Let her eat at different times or alone if she wants. I wasn't allowed and ended up with an eating disorder because I would eat a few mouthfuls then basically be put off my food

People eating down the phone drives me mad

EatTheHamTina · 03/11/2020 22:59

Also as a teenager my parents would purposely smack their lips once I've asked them to stop. My mum eats with her mouth open and smacks her lips which in return makes me want to slap her but apparently she doesn't eat like that at all and I make it up in my head! Hmm

FantasticRik1 · 03/11/2020 23:21

Mine is terrible. Started when I was around 10 and has worsened over the years (now early forties)
I can’t sit and eat with DH anymore and have to leave the room if I see an apple.
Watching this with interest and sympathy to my fellow sufferers.

ZaraCarmichaelshighheels · 03/11/2020 23:26

@AWiseWomanOnceSaidFuckThisShit

I completely agree with the animal thing and I suffer with this terribly. I'm in tears sometimes just from someone eating a packet of crisps or an apple. Yet I watched a bunny slopping on raspberries and it was so cute my heart broke to pieces. CBT did fuck all. Watching with interest...
Totally get this, my DH eating an apple or worse sneezing (oh my god the rage) but when my dog eats her dinner or slurps her water I find it adorable.
redeyetonowheregood · 03/11/2020 23:28

I have had this since I was about 7. We survive by always, always, always having the radio or music on while eating...I have a very understanding husband...my little boy just developed it too. At least that completely understand his rage about eating and breathing noises. My mum completely dismissed me and told me I was being ridiculous. It is a massive problem when eating at her house without sound. God, she called me on Skype the other night and ate her meal on the screen. I literally had to get out of the room. It was awful.

ZaraCarmichaelshighheels · 03/11/2020 23:34

Does anyone know why we feel like this or what causes our over the top reaction and is it a woman thing? I find I am getting more noise sensitive in general, my hair was brushing against my coat today and it was so loud and annoying, I’m blaming menopause and lack of tolerance to, well let’s face it anything! (Apart from my dog and any other animal on the planet that is)

sweetkitty · 03/11/2020 23:44

DH eating crisps next to me makes me want to stab him (well maybe cause him some bodily harm). Sniffing also drives me mad.