The writer is a student at the Karachi Medical and Dental College
‘What’s that awful ticking noise, who’s tapping their feet on the floor, why can’t people eat without making that annoying sound, you sip your tea, you don’t slurp it, make it stop. Make it STOP! I’ll punch that person so hard. I’ll kill him. I need to run. Run. Now!’
This is what a person suffering from misophonia is thinking, nearly all the time.
Misophonia is a neurological disorder in which a person feels anxiety and even rage in response to certain sounds, which may be loud or soft, and are very common. It is also termed Selective Sound Sensitivity Syndrome. The sounds include coughing, sneezing, scratching, breathing, repetitive tapping of a pencil, amongst other everyday sounds. Neuroscientists have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of misophonia, but are of the view that the pathology lies in the connection between the limbic system (set of structures in the brain responsible for emotions and behaviour), and the auditory system (responsible for hearing). However, this being established, there are still a lot of things that are not known about it yet.
Misophonia usually starts in early childhood and includes a few trigger sounds generated by one or more members of the family. As the person grows older, the limbic system’s response to these triggers becomes stronger and often the number of triggers increases, accompanied by visual stimuli. For the sufferers, exposure to these sounds for a couple of minutes is equivalent to an hour of nails being scratched on a chalkboard. They experience severe forms of rage, panic — and even disgust — and develop extremely avoidant behaviour. For them, being alone is better than sitting in a social gathering that causes anxiety.
I was diagnosed with misophonia at the age of nine. All of my triggers were limited to home at that time. Growing up with this disorder has not been an easy feat. I’m sure my family regarded me as somewhat strange, with all the temper tantrums I had, which in fact were only a response to the triggers.
Meal times were always the hardest. Every clink of a spoon on a plate seemed like a gunshot to me. If someone spoke to me while eating, I’d lose it. Finally, when it all became too much for me to bear, I started taking my meals to my room — and I still do.
The disorder is still regarded as a ‘new’ disorder. Neuroscientists have yet to come up with a cure and little progress has been made when it comes to devising ways to cope with the disorder and to prevent the affected people from becoming socially dysfunctional. Many people have come up with their own ways to cope with the disorder; the use of ear plugs, headphones and echolalia (mimicry) usually help decrease distress.
I accidentally found out about misophonia on the internet. If I hadn’t, I’d have spent the rest of my life wondering what was wrong with me and why I reacted to certain things in ways that can only be described as ‘unusual’. I was relieved to know that there was a name for all that I’d experienced since childhood, that it wasn’t a figment of my imagination, and most of all, that I could get help.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2013.
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COMMENTS (10)
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the author says that she was 'diagnosed' with the disorder when she was nine but then goes on to say that she discovered what was wrong with her through the internet...is it just me or does this not make any sense???
Reema Asif has my sympathy. Many people have had children with a neurological problem, which is not in the medical charts, and quite often parents get the blame for not raising them correctly. A case in point are the varying levels of Autism, which only started being accurately diagnosed some 30 to 40 years ago, and even now, if it is high level Autism, some parents cannot admit their child has a problem, and it is covered up through the use of medication, or by being to embarrassed to tell their friends or Doctor. Arguably, perhaps one of the worst problems is TB when it passes through the blood/brain barrier and causes inflammation of the brain. In third world countries with a lack of MRI diagnostic machines, and medical facilities, it may be difficult to pick up. One wonders what other non-diagnosable, or difficult to diagnose, neurological problems exist?
Reema, you are not alone as millions of people all over the world are suffering from this problem, but many of them are totally unaware of the same. My suggestion to you is to do yoga ie some breathing exercises under an expert as well as consult a good homeopath as many incurable diseases get cured by this system of medicine.
Reema, I admire your courage to admit and analyze this problem. In a society where everybody is scared to admit the 'mental' problems we suffer, such admission is a rarity. I read in a German newspaper the other day that every 3rd German is suffering under some sort of psychological problem. So much so that they need expert help. I wish you well, but warn you that complete recovery is not that easy. Some scars remain all our lives. Experts claim that most of our problems relate to people we know and love. In the pretext to love you, they keep on criticizing you for 'your own good', they say Just think of yourself first and foremost, others must take you the way you are, or get lost.
Interesting article. I didn't know there was such a disorder.
May Allah give you cure and all others. I suggest you do a confirmation by a physician on this disease (if have not as yet). May Allah keep us all healthy and at peace. Ameen
I applaud you for speaking about your condition so publicly. Most people in Pakistan live behind veils of secrets hidden under carpets of lies. And I am curious to know what doctors are treating you here in Pakistan, what the treatment entails (so you can live a some what normal life--any actually live through a meal with some one else) and which doctors you would recommend as having been particularly helpful? Thanks.
Author: "I accidentally found out about misophonia on the internet. If I hadn’t, I’d have spent the rest of my life wondering what was wrong with me and why I reacted to certain things in ways that can only be described as ‘unusual’.
Were you diagnosed by a neurologist? Who did diagnosis on your disorder?
You article is going to make many people feel they have Misophonia. Some people may think their kids have Misophonia.
Noble of you to bring attention to plights people like yourself. Yes, internet is also a great educator. All the best. Creating awareness is definitely a step in the right direction.
what is the purpose of this article / blog in opinion section?