Irritated by sounds like pen clicking or loud breathing? Maryland doctor explains why you may have ‘misophonia’

Dr Sood explains how to recognise misophonia and the likely treatments of the common yet not-well-researched problem.

Sounds such as the clicking of a pen or loud breathing irritate many people, but some more than others. While it is generally brushed off as a whim, the more intense cases are likely to be diagnosed medically as misophonia.

Taking to Instagram on January 13, Dr Kunal Sood, a Maryland-based physician in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Medicine, explained the condition and shared its possible treatments.

What is misophonia?

According to Dr Sood, if an individual has a strong emotional or physical response to certain sounds, such as the clicking of a pen, loud breathing or chewing, the condition is known as misophonia.

“If you have misophonia, and you hear some of these trigger sounds, you may have feelings of anger, disgust, or anxiety,” noted Dr Sood.

The condition affects different people in different ways, as per the Cleveland Clinic. An individual can have one or more sounds that can act as a trigger for their condition. The severity of the reaction also depends on them, as some can demonstrate a controlled response, while others cannot.

“The exact cause is not fully understood,” shared the doctor, adding that treatment “may include cognitive behavioural therapy or sound therapy.”

What are the symptoms of misophonia?

Misophonia can have three major symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic website. They are:

• Emotional feelings like anger and rage
• Body processes like a faster heartbeat
• Behavioural actions like glaring

Common triggers for misophonia

While triggers of misophonia can be different for different individuals, some of the more commonly observed ones include:

• Chewing food noisily
• Ticking of a clock
• Heavy breathing
• Tapping fingers or toes
• Clicking a pen
• Water dripping
• Rustling of paper or plastic
• Smacking lips

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.