Misophonia

[everybodylookatyourhands]

I have an 11 year old DD, who started Secondary school in September. She is coming home frequently saying she can't stand sitting next to certain people during lessons because of the noises they make. Could be noises they make with their mouths or clicking pens etc. She gets so angry when her brother eats, like a wave of anger passes through her, because he is "so noisy". He's not, he has a new brace so is getting used to that but he isn't eating with his mouth open but now he knows it is annoying her, he is making a point of being louder to wind her up.

She never complained about noises before changing schools. I have only heard of Misophonia recently and I think she is suffering with this and it is impacting her concentration at school, and she will really dread certain lessons having to sit next to noisy people. She doesn't have the confidence to ask the teacher to move seats and won't want to draw attention to herself in the class.

I get that repetitive clicking sounds can be annoying but her intolerance is on another level. Does anyone else have a child with Misophonia? Do they have any coping mechanisms? Do I need to get an official diagnosis? And if so, is the GP the first place I should go?

Have a look at Flares ear buds - my DD15 has used these for a few years and likes the fact they dampen sounds
My kids have sensory processsingbissues and the classroom noise is a real difficulty for them, so sending our DS11 in with ear defenders now. DD15 got so bad she's not been to school for 2 years now (ASD and other problems too though) so I'd say try to help her control sounds around her as I know my kids really suffer to the point of complete meltdowns
Good luck

Thank you @FloofCloud I will give that a try in the first instance (if she will wear them). Appreciate your response

Nothing helpful to add but solidarity. My 10 year old has developed a hatred of eating/drinking noises including clinking of cutlery, chewing, swallowing, slurping. She can go from 0 to angry in seconds. We're trying to help her manage it, but it's really impacted our ability to eat as a family, and my enjoyment of a simple cup of tea as we always have to be aware. No more movies nights with popcorn. It's hard and I'm not sure what to do about it either!

Look up sensory processing disorder and see if that fits

I suffer with misophonia (59yo). First thing to say is it cannot be cured.

You can gradually learn to tolerate more, but sometimes "the rage" will come out anyhow. Have suffered all my life. Hormones can make things worse.

At my lowest point I walked out of an important meeting because a speaker had a clicky pen in their hand and my anticipation of the possibility that they might click it was too much for me to handle. The stress was overwhelming.

Please get some support for them there are mindfulness (and other) techniques that can help reduce the associated stress.

Hi! Sorry for reviving an old post. How are your kids getting on? My son has also started this at around Christmas. Doesn't acknowledge there is a problem so therapy would be difficult. Also just started secondary (he is 11). Doing well academically and so far this is not affecting school we think, but we are currently inquiring with school.