Re: Need support & advice

[Guest guest]

Gum is a huge trigger for me...along with popcorn! I HATE when people eat popcorn around me! And I'm the same way...if I see someone chewing with their mouth open without even hearing it, I go crazy. For me though, a lot of it has to do with manners - I'm not perfect, but I can't stand when people have no manners.

[Guest guest]

I also thought I was just intollerable with people who had poor manners - but I have learned that the difference between that and misophonia is the rage in my body and the fight or flight response. 

 

Gum is a huge trigger for me...along with popcorn!  I HATE when people eat popcorn around me!  And I'm the same way...if I see someone chewing with their mouth open without even hearing it, I go crazy.  For me though, a lot of it has to do with manners - I'm not perfect, but I can't stand when people have no manners.

[Guest guest]

I understand what you deal with. I deal

with all those things as well, every single day. It is difficult.

The only way I manage is to wear headphones wherever I go and

listen to brown noise. It's not a perfect solution and it doesn't

block out all the sounds, but it does help me be able to go

grocery shopping for example. I also don't talk much with anyone.

You can use paper plates and plastic dishes to eat off of. That's

a big help for me.

As for visual triggers, either you block them with your hand or

you move on to a different place or choose not to stay in the

situation you are in. As for family, I cover their feet if I have

to be around them (they understand now so don't think me weird for

doing that). Gum chewing around me is a big no no. And if someone

will not stop with that, then I will not be around them.

Working in an office is a nightmare for those of us dealing with

this. That I understand. My suggestion would be to try to find

some other line of work if possible. Or build up your office space

in such a way to block out the triggers, if possible. I know that

this isn't always possible or finding another line of work isn't

possible, but you have to do something for your mental health.

See a therapist if possible. Mine helped me out of the depression

caused by this condition and helped me find ways to cope better.

You can also apply for disability benefits based on this

condition. I did and with the help of a lawyer eventually won my

case. I'd preferred not to have to of gone down that road, but

this condition is very disabling for those of us struggling to

live with it every day.

All the best,

Randall

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I've suffered from 4S since age 7 or 8, it started with a

classmate "sniffling" then escalated to my father's loud

chewing, then the loud "bass" of my brother's stereo (even

though I can listen to my own music with bass on full) and

now the main focus is chewing/popping gum. It infuriates

me to the point I am unable to work in an office setting.

I cannot control this, it controls me and every aspect of

my life; I have to structure my life around it. My Mom

used to hate the sound of crumpling paper so I think she

also had it. I have many more "triggers", only loud bass

from music + gum chewing seem to invoke an uncontrollable

rage with the need to flee the offending sound. Everyone

thought I was crazy, overly sensitive or just difficult

and I thought they were right until a few years ago when I

found references to this problem online. I suffer from the

visual aspect also, can't stand when people are wiggling

their feet or moving in general in line with my peripheral

vision. I can't stand watching people chew (even if I

can't hear it) so I need to always sit where no one is in

front of me. Living with this disorder is like a

nightmare. No one could possibly understand it effects

unless you are going through it your self. I'm looking for

some ray of hope on this group, some suggestions to give

me some sense of a normal existance and not one where ear

plugs are my best friend. Getting desperate. Please tell

me if anything really helps, any imput would be greatly

appreciated