To ask for help dealing with misophonia? Cannot stand noisy eating!!

[Wanderlust1984]

Anyone had any luck dealing with misophonia? This has plagued me most my life. The amount of people who can't eat with their find shut is IMO ridiculous (especially adults) but I do realise it's something that's not going to change. It's so bad that I leave the room if somebody's chomping, if I can't leave I have to sit there feeling stabby. I take earplugs to the cinema in case there's anyone chomping on popcorn loudly. And my heart sinks if I clock someone bringing an apple into a meeting or reaching for chewing gum. Any other sufferers dealt with this successfully? I so wish it didn't bother me!! Some folk act like I choose to let these sounds make my life hell :(

Rebecca - I don't want to be rude and I apologise if it comes across that way but if you are so hurt by people describing a feeling they have no control over then maybe stop reading the thread. Everyone is just sharing experiences. I can understand it's not nice to hear, but that's the honest truth of what it's like and if you haven't experienced it then you won't understand the lack of control over the feelings. Do you think I like the fact my DD has this effect on me? Of course not. People are just being honest.

Of course and no offence taken I assure you! And I'm glad there is a place for you to discuss your experiences.

My input was to say that our feelings can be hurt as well and living with someone who suffers does affect the rest of the family.

kateclark I agree! DS is on the spectrum and so far he does not have this condition but reading that post from a poster who has to turn a sign to show they are eating and whose son bangs on the door to tell her other children to 'hurry up' is chilling. DD2 is underweight and just isn't a big eater. Restricting food like that family because of one person's condition could easily lead to a lifetime of disordered eating. I'd find that unacceptable. Eating is a life-sustaining activity, so it's up to those who find it repulsive and intolerable to have to make the concessions, not those who are engaging in this necessary activity.

Rebecca, how did you get far enough involved with someone like this to marry him? I love food - cooking, baking, eating and drinking. So a person like this would have been a total dealbreaker early on in the dating stage for me.

We've been together 20 years! The thing is that like many others on here he didn't know he had it, just thought he had sensitive ears. I've got no idea if it's got worse over time or he was more accommodating back in the dating stages

Oh I think we have a very good idea what its like to be on the receiving end of other people's huge and irrational rage.

There are lots of mental health conditions in the world. You can be sympathetic towards people who suffer them without being prepared to have your own life made a misery as a result.

I am also a severe sufferer. At home my family know and I am able to wear ear defenders, (think small ones, not industrial crazy things!) and for out and about anxiety meds, doesn't fix things completely but makes it very slightly easier to handle.

its awful, like someone said already, an absolute feeling of rage

Gawd, anyone who had a problem with normal eating wouldn't have lasted for 5 minutes with me, Rebecca, I love food too much and it's a big part of our lives. Sensitive ears or no. My friend's brother was married to a woman who hated food. The family's life was a fucking misery as a result. They're divorced but their two girls have some serious issues with food as a result - the older one has an eating disorder now. If it becomes an issue with DS, and I hope not because for now he really enjoys cooking, baking and eating, he'll have to be the one who makes the concessions because risking DD2's eating is not an option.