Yes another one (me)

[Guest guest]

I am 39 years old and have suffered with this for as long as I can remember. I

am amazed that I am not alone in this. To find some kindred spirits is

reassuring. As a young child this started when I was in around 2nd or 3rd grade

and it was focused towards my father. Dinner was often a disaster. The noises

he made while eating where horrific to me. My mother made tea for dinner every

day and it was always hot. My father would then pour his tea into a glass with

ice and stir it like crazy. The sound of that ice clinking the glass got dinner

off to an anxious start with me. Typically I would eat super fast and leave

and come back after everyone was gone and sneak enough to fill me up. I can

remember having rages towards my father in regards to this. Aside from this my

father was physically abusive and after years of therapy I have come to

understand that my dislike of those noises was because I disliked him and that

was the safest way to " hate " my father. Well now I am having to rethink some of

that. ( I think).

Bubblegum, oh my god. Even typing the word provokes an emotion in me. I am a

teacher so I do not let the students have gum so luckily my profession allows me

to control that to a degree. I just finished my master's degree which took 3

years. Sitting in classes for 3-4 hours was torture. I could point out the gum

chewers and would try to sit away from them or in a strategic place as to block

out the sound. I tried to avoid classes with certain people. When they would

start to make the noise, I had awful anger thoughts. Just out of control

thoughts. Made me scared of myself and the anger that could arise.

Other noises: nail clipping, silver banging together, dishes banging together,

chains banging, snoring, heavy breathing, sniffling, swallowing, chewing, lips

smacking, my dog chewing at her paws, finger snapping (the sudden loud noise of

this just sends shivers down me), someone brushing their teeth or slurping.

(certain words do it too like: chip, dip, biscuit)

These effect me in different ways and at different levels. Yeah I have anxiety

issues and depressions issues. I live my life fairly comfortably and have

achieved things i have set out to achieve. Most of this I keep in and those

close to me know what gets to going and I've always just thought i was a bit

high strung.

I'm just now starting to explore the boards, but feel such relief knowing there

is something to this and it isn't me being crazy. I can't wait to print some

stuff out and share it with some people but I know they are not going to get it

like you all will.

Thank God for this group!!!!!