Do you hate chewing, clicking noises? You maybe suffering from misophonia. Here is all you need to know

Does chewing sounds or clicking nails annoy and bother you? You might be suffering from a disorder called misophonia! Recently, actor Melissa Gilbert, known for playing Laura Ingalls on the TV series Little House revealed that she suffered from this condition her entire life. Here is all you need to know about this condition.

What is misophonia?

Misophonia is a condition where certain sounds trigger strong emotional or physiological reactions in individuals. These reactions can include irritation, anger, anxiety, or even panic. Common trigger sounds are usually repetitive and may include things like chewing, breathing, tapping, or pen clicking.

Speaking about her experience with the neurological disorder, Melissa Gilbert revealed that she experienced this on the sets of Little House on the Prairie. Speaking about her experience she told PEOPLE, "If any of the kids chewed gum or ate or tapped their fingernails on the table, I would want to run away so badly. I would turn beet red and my eyes would fill up with tears and I'd just sit there feeling absolutely miserable and horribly guilty for feeling so hateful towards all these people — people I loved."

Although some experts have recognized misophonia for years, it is still not included in databases like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

How did she deal with the disorder?

In her interview, the actor revealed that she underwent 16 weeks of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, where she learnt how to self-regulate and exercise self-control. Though the problem has not gone away, she now knows how to react when she feels the anger coming.

What are some coping techniques?

Managing misophonia typically involves a combination of coping strategies, such as using noise-cancelling headphones, avoiding trigger situations, or practising relaxation techniques.

Some individuals, like Melissa Gilbert, may also benefit from therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to help manage their reactions to trigger sounds.

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