Often Disturbed by Minor Voices? It Could Be Misophonia

Illustration disturbed by small noises. (Freepik)

JAKARTA - Some people feel very disturbed when they hear certain sounds that seem trivial to others. The sound of people chewing, repeated knocks, or the sound of a pen clicking can cause excessive discomfort, even triggering negative emotions spontaneously.

This disorder is not just sensitive to noise, but can be related to a neurophysiological condition known as misophonia.

Misophonia is a neurophysiological syndrome in which certain sounds trigger intense emotional and physical responses. Based on information from the official website of The International Misophonia Foundation, individuals with this condition react strongly to repetitive and patterned sounds, which can cause irritation to severe anxiety.

In people with misophonia, the brain interprets the trigger sound as a threat. As a result, the body automatically activates the survival response, as if it were facing a real danger. This reaction is fast and often difficult to control.

The response can involve various physiological changes, such as excessive sweating, increased heart rate, to hormonal changes. This condition makes individuals feel tense, anxious, or driven to get away from the source of the sound.

The official website of the Cleveland Clinic states that misophonia can affect everyone in different ways. Not all sufferers have the same triggers, and the severity of the reaction varies greatly.

A person can have one or several types of voices that trigger an emotional response. In some people, the reaction is mild, but in others it can cause anger, extreme anxiety, or an urge to flee the situation.

Although the trigger for misophonia is individual, a number of sounds are often reported as common triggers. Among them are the sound of chewing food, the clock ticking, heavy breathing, repeated knocks, pen clicks, the sound of dripping water, and the sound of lips tasting.

In individuals with misophonia, these sounds can trigger emotional reactions such as anger or wrath, accompanied by bodily responses such as increased heart rate and certain physical expressions, such as squinting or tightening.

As reported by Hindustan Times, specialist anesthesiologist and pain management doctor Kunal Sood said that misophonia can be treated through psychological and sensory approaches. Methods that are often used include cognitive behavioral therapy to help manage emotional responses, as well as sound therapy to train tolerance to trigger sounds.