Spreading Awareness About Misophonia

Misophonia is still not a very well known term, despite the substantial prevalence of the condition. Nearly 1 in 20 Americans experiences clinically significant levels of misophonia, yet very few people are aware of the term itself.

Misophonia was coined by audiologists Pawel Jastreboff and Margaret Jastreboff in 2001 to refer to a condition distinct from hyperacusis in which people experience extremely negative physical and emotional reactions to certain trigger sounds (such as chewing) and their associated contexts. (See the 2022 consensus definition of misophonia here.)

Although every person's experience with misophonia is unique, there are some remarkable commonalities: the most common trigger sounds in misophonia include chewing, sniffling, and other mouth- or nose-related sounds, but they can also include things like finger tapping or other repetitive sounds. In social contexts, these trigger sounds and actions can cause people with misophonia to experience extreme distress, disgust, and very often anger toward the person producing the action. Because these negative reactions are so immediate and intense, they can make it difficult for people with misophonia to cope with common activities like eating with a group of people, and can cause people to withdraw from social life, leading to depression and other mental health disorders.

July 9 is World Misophonia Awareness Day, which honors the memory of Michelle Del Valle, a teenager who passed away from suicide in 2023 at the age of 17 after years of suffering with misophonia.

There are many good reasons to spread awareness about misophonia today and throughout the year:

• By spreading awareness, people with misophonia can learn about the condition and realize that they're not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from misophonia, and just knowing that the condition exists can be the first step for people to find resources, support, and community.
• There is a lot of new research coming out about misophonia, from understanding developmental trajectories and genetic factors to describing cultural differences, neural mechanisms, and novel clinical interventions. Much of this research is published in open-access journals, including this 2023 special issue of Frontiers in Psychology dedicated to describing advances in misophonia research.
• There are excellent resources out there for people who experience misophonia, including SoQuiet, a nonprofit organization that offers advocacy, support, and resources for people who suffer from misophonia. There are also online communities where people with misophonia can connect, such as the misophonia subreddit.

Even if you don't experience misophonia yourself, chances are high that you have loved ones who do. Understanding more about misophonia can make you a better advocate. Learning about the common triggers in misophonia can also make you more attuned to ways that you might minimize your own potentially triggering behaviors (like chewing gum or rustling a bag of chips) when you are with someone with misophonia. Just showing awareness that some of your own behaviors could be triggering can help the person feel understood and supported.

There is still a lot of progress to be made in the scientific and clinical efforts to understand misophonia, legitimize its status as a mental health disorder, and develop treatments to help those who live with the condition. In the meantime, spreading awareness is a great way to increase the impact of what we already know.

If you or someone you love is contemplating suicide, seek help immediately. For help 24/7, dial 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. To find a therapist near you, visit the Psychology Today Therapy Directory.