misophonia

Misophonia is a condition characterized by intense emotional and physiological reactions to specific sounds or stimuli, often human-made noises such as chewing, lip-smacking, tapping, or swallowing. Reactions are typically anger, anxiety, disgust, or panic and are accompanied by heightened arousal, including increased heart rate and muscle tension. Many people experience a strong urge to escape or avoid the triggering sound, which can lead to distress and impairment in daily life.

Triggers are highly individual and not solely related to volume. In some individuals, visual cues or certain contexts can also provoke a response. Misophonia can affect relationships, work, and social activities, and the severity can vary widely from mild discomfort to significant impairment.

There is no formal diagnostic category for misophonia in major manuals such as the DSM or ICD, but it is widely studied as a condition causing distress and functional limitation. Onset commonly occurs in childhood or adolescence, and prevalence estimates vary. Some people report mild symptoms; a smaller group experiences clinically significant misophonia.

Proposed mechanisms remain under investigation. The leading theories suggest atypical neural processing that links auditory perception with emotional and autonomic systems, along with learned or conditioned responses and interactions with anxiety or mood disorders. Misophonia frequently co-occurs with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive traits, and tinnitus.

Treatment is individualized and evidence is evolving. Approaches include cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure-based and mindfulness-based therapies, coping strategies, environment modification, and family involvement. Pharmacological treatment is not specifically indicated for misophonia itself, but may address comorbid conditions. Ongoing research seeks clearer diagnostic criteria and more robust, standardized treatments.