I'm not crazy after all

[Guest guest]

OMG... OMG... OMG.... I’m not crazy after all. I can’t believe there is a name for what I have. I am 50 years old and I have suffered from misophonia as long as I can remember. It mostly started with gum popping, people smacking their food, eating popcorn, crunching chips or ice and has gotten worse over the years. When I was younger, and when my siblings and I would argue, they would start smacking really loudly and popping their gum just to make me mad. I have tried to explain to others that they just don’t understand and I don’t either but when I hear these noises, I get really really angry. I want to start calling people names (and I have underneath my breath when out in public) or I want to punch somebody. Even though I never would, the thought is there. If it gets too bad and I cannot leave the situation, I become emotional and start crying. I hate going to the movies because of the popcorn chewing. I abhor the Kit Kat commercials. I don’t even allow anyone to chew gum in my house. My kids can only chew gum when there are not around me. If they forget and come home with gum in their mouths, they can no longer have gum for a period of time. I quit a job one time when I was eighteen because the woman sitting next to me cracked her gum all the time. I just got up and walked out. Sometimes, I don’t even have to hear the sounds. Just watching someone chew gum angers me. I am so glad to know that I am not alone. I am thankful there is a name for it. I recorded 20/20 last night and I am going to let everyone who comes to my house watch it. One more thing, why is it when one of my family members or friends tell someone who is popping their gum or chewing loudly that they need to stop because I can’t stand it, they look me dead in the eye and start popping their gum or smacking real loudly just to get a reaction from me. Grrrrr..... well thanks for letting me rant.

[Guest guest]

I have a few suggestions for you. Having lived with this for over 30 years,

written about it, researched it, talked at length to a hundred or more folks

just like me, I have learned some very good coping methods. None are perfect

and none erase the sound or the reaction to it. But they do soften my reaction

enough to let me live a peaceful, happy life. Here are my suggestions for you:

1) Go to an ENT and have them check and, if needed, clean your ears. Sometimes

extra wax can actually cause MORE sensitivity (not less, as you'd think). If

they find any, go back yearly for a new cleaning.

2) Go to an audiologist and have them fit you for custom ear plugs. They will

fit better than any other plugs you'll ever buy (mine cost about $20-30).

3) Download BROWN noise from the web (or whichever color noise soothes you).

You can then wear your mp3 player/headphones and play that noise when outside

noises get really bad and to calm you after a bad trigger. I've used this to

sleep in the same room with my husband while traveling.

4) Give your family literature, printouts from this site, etc. to educate them.

Their understanding and compassion toward you as you survive this is absolutely

essential! You do not need guilt and shame piled onto your shoulders. This

disorder, on its own, is enough of a burden for anyone to bear.

5) Take extra B12 and magnesium (and possibly go to the doctor to get a B12

shot). Also a lavender oil bath in am and pm. All help with stress. And less

stress helps you cope better with anything, including 4S. Also, getting enough

sleep is important. Do it in any way you can, even if you have to sleep in a

separate room.

6) Take yoga or Art of Living course. Both will help lessen stress and

oxygenate your body and your brain to help cope with 4S.

>

> OMG... OMG... OMG.... I’m not crazy after all. I can’t believe there is a

name for what I have. I am 50 years old and I have suffered from misophonia as

long as I can remember. It mostly started with gum popping, people smacking

their food, eating popcorn, crunching chips or ice and has gotten worse over the

years. When I was younger, and when my siblings and I would argue, they would

start smacking really loudly and popping their gum just to make me mad. I have

tried to explain to others that they just don’t understand and I don’t

either but when I hear these noises, I get really really angry. I want to start

calling people names (and I have underneath my breath when out in public) or I

want to punch somebody. Even though I never would, the thought is there. If it

gets too bad and I cannot leave the situation, I become emotional and start

crying. I hate going to the movies because of the popcorn chewing. I abhor the

Kit Kat commercials. I don’t even allow anyone to chew gum in my house. My

kids can only chew gum when there are not around me. If they forget and come

home with gum in their mouths, they can no longer have gum for a period of time.

I quit a job one time when I was eighteen because the woman sitting next to me

cracked her gum all the time. I just got up and walked out. Sometimes, I don’t

even have to hear the sounds. Just watching someone chew gum angers me. I am so

glad to know that I am not alone. I am thankful there is a name for it. I

recorded 20/20 last night and I am going to let everyone who comes to my house

watch it. One more thing, why is it when one of my family members or friends

tell someone who is popping their gum or chewing loudly that they need to stop

because I can’t stand it, they look me dead in the eye and start popping their

gum or smacking real loudly just to get a reaction from me. Grrrrr..... well

thanks for letting me rant.

>