Misophonia

[Biancadelrioisback]

Okay, so it seems I suffer from misophonia and I've had to take myself away from my desk to stop me screaming/bursting into tears. My boss chews gum all day with his mouth open. I can hear it slapping around. In actually getting angry just typing this! My colleagues are all bad too. One taps all the time. I can't just sit still. Drumming on his desk, tapping his feat, kicking the desk leg. One whistles. And not even the song on the radio, just whatever is in his head. And the last one swings on his chair. It creeks. This is all day. I can't wear headphones but usually I try and drown it out. I'm in a bad place at the moment and I can't cope with the noises. I'm sat in the toilets ATM fighting back tears. I can't cope. And no one takes me seriously

It's real and beyond annoying sometimes. Could you wear earphones (even if they're not plugged into anything) to try to cover the noise?

Would speaking to your manager work?

You poor thing. I gave it too but milder then you it seems however gum chewing sends me into a massive rage instantly.

Can you wear earplugs and head phones.

Maybe hypnotherapy or similar may help ?

Otherwise I’d be looking for a new job with better environment. More space etc.

I can't change job unfortunately. Just not an option for us right now. I can't wear headphones or earphones as part of my job is on the phone and customer facing.
It's not normally this bad but I'm in a bad place ATM which has highlighted this. I can't even focus on anything except the noise. I've squeaked a few times holding back the scream.

Of that, I can deal with everything except the chewing gum.

Definitely time to speak to him about it. You are not unreasonable.

For me, a coping method is working with what I can control and what I can't. Squeaky chair? Can it be greased or replaced.
Poor eating manners? Can they be brought to attention or is it just my misophonia?
Tapping? Ask them to stop.

I have this. Ended up having to see a therapist about it and trying CBT. I tried ‘tapping’ and this helped. Have a look on google and see if anyone near you does it

I don't know how to ask them to stop. At the minute I'm so up a height that I can't see how I can ask them without just shouting or coming across as bitchy/snappy.

I do feel better now after speaking to you lot. I definitely think I might need some help

You poor thing, it must be unbearable. My friend used to chew gum very noisily, and it made me murderous! Now she constantly clicks a bit of skin on the side of her nail, which is marginally better but still annoying. Is there any way that you could have a radio on your desk at low volume?

We have music in the office which comes out of a speaker in the middle of all our desks. Because were such a small company, there isn't really anywhere to escape. Plus side though, I'm the only female so the toilets are my own 'private' area

I have been known to blow up with a "For the love of God" and then tell each person "John, will you please stop chewing your gum with your mouth open, you look and sound like a cow masticating cud; Tim, you are not and will never be a professional drummer; Pete your whistling sounds like a child on a bloody recorder. Can everyone just bloody pack it in, you're driving me up the wall! "

But of course, it depends on the workplace and your relationship with them. I was friends with all of mine, so I could do that, even to my boss.

Maybe have a good rant about what you REALLY WANT to say?

J, stop chewing your fucking gum! It sounds like a goat wearing flip flops in the mud.

I, yes we know youre our boss, stop trying to make yourself look big! Swinging on your chair with your arms straight up in the air like you're on a fucking rollercoaster. Yes we can see you, were CHOOSING to ignore you.

A, stop drumming. I get it, you're bored. But only boring people get bored.

F, the whistling. I mean come on. Next time you do it I will shove a cocktail sausage in your mouth. STOP IT!!!

What makes all this worse is I know how irrational I am. And a child had a packet of crisps on the bus home. I wanted to jump out the window

I have misiphonia too.

Maybe make a GP appointment for the overwhelming tension and anxiety.

I can identify with everything you’ve written.
I’m not sure what the answer is other than to try to explain misophonia to your manager and request that people are sypathetic and rein in their behaviour.
Easier said than done, I know. I can’t eat in the same room as my DH at the moment because of his eating noises. Whistling makes me cry with choked up rage.

I saw a psychiatrist today who said that you can use stimulation in other areas to help cope with the noise sensitivity. I don't know more than that as I've been referred for further help but maybe Google to see if you can find anything about it

Whistling is the worst thing for me. I can hear it for miles away and it makes me feel choked.

I don't know how to have the conversation with my team. I know I sound like a dick.