Having just watched one of my children take a corn chip and bolt from the kitchen to eat it away from me, I'm now standing here worrying that if I meet someone my misophonia will bring the whole thing to a screeching halt.
My family are all well trained, and more or less police their own eating noises these days. New people, though... the thought of having to explain it to someone else and then deal with their response makes me feel really anxious. It probably doesn't sound like a big problem but I can't eat in company unless there's a lot of background noise, which means no family dinners, no quiet restaurants, no cinema visits in company unless the other person knows only to chew during the really loud bits of the movie. Most people see eating as a social activity and I just can't. Even if there is enough noise to cover the sounds I'm always on high alert and can't relax.
I'm probably being ridiculous but I feel as though this might keep me single when I don't necessarily want to be. Looking for some reassurance/advice/inspiring true stories please.