Re: Hello all! New here, this is my story.

[Guest guest]

Hi Steph. I'm Sara. I'm 22 and Australian. I'm new and have just discovered that

this exists too. One night I decided to search around on Google and see if I

could find something. I searched for " mental illness annoyed " because I thought

I might find some sort of condition that makes people get overly annoyed at

something. It was a huge surprise to find so many other people with pretty much

the exact same 'symptoms'. I couldn't believe that other people were annoyed at

mouth related noises as much as me. If you want to read my story, I've added it

in " Files " under " Sara's Story " . Thank you for posting yours

>

> My name is Steph. I started noticing the symptoms when I was 9 or 10 (I just

turned 21 in November) when I started mimicking my dad sniffing (he has really

bad allergies) in a mean way. I guess that was my way of letting my parents know

I didn't like the sniffing. We used to get into really big fights about it ALL

the time, although I have recently moved out. I used to just go in my room when

he had allergy attacks, and cover my ears. I really only get angry when people

I'm close to make certain sounds. Which makes it kind of sad. I get set off by

slurping, gum smacking, crunching, sniffing, certain sounds my mom makes when

she talks that I can't really explain, and 'S' and 'P' sounds. These sounds are

absolutely maddening to me. My best friend used to snack gum all the time

(absolutely torturous)so I would hide my gum so she wouldn't ask for it and chew

it around me, or if she was already chewing gum I would go so far as to buy her

food so she would throw her gum out. And she knew it made me angry so she would

smack it when she was mad at me (Although, she doesn't do that anymore since we

found out I have misophonia). I found out about misophonia when I was searching

around the Internet for reasons why I am so sensitive to loud noises. I can't

use a vacuum or a hair dryer, and motorcycles and loud cars scare me. Loud

sounds have always scared me. When I was younger, I couldn't even flush a

toilet, and still sometimes have to cover my ears when flushing really loud

public toilets. Anyway, it was a complete accident that I came across it, but

I'm really glad I did because it means I'm not crazy, or a mean person. I always

thought I was just a horrible person for getting so angry at people I care about

over such a small thing. I also think my uncle might have it, but I've never

really felt comfortable enough to ask. My mom said he used to mimick her when

they were younger, and get angry at her over certain sounds she made. I also

think I have a mild form of OCD. The OCD doesn't affect my life very much, but I

know it's there, and it flares up when I'm stressed out. Also, my uncle was

diagnosed with aspergers when he was younger, and my second cousin has severe

autism. I myself have always been an extremely shy person, and it has definitely

gotten worse as I've gotten older. I don't even really know how to make friends

anymore. When I'm around someone new my brain just freezes up, and I completely

have no idea what to say. I mean, with people that I'm close to and have been

close with for a long time I'm normal, but around strangers I'm way awkward. I

love black and white (darkroom) photography. I'm going to college for it, and my

professor actually called me a genius in critiques one time. So I'd say I'm a

really visual person.

> Anywho! That's me, PLEASE feel free to comment, and thank you for reading :]

>

[Guest guest]

Hello ! I located your story, opened it, read some and then realized I've

actually already read it, lol. I'm sort of in the same spot as you, I'm not sure

where to go from here. I think I might try a psychologist, hope they can help

me, and guide me to my next step. I wonder if they would even know what

misophonia is though.

> >

> > My name is Steph. I started noticing the symptoms when I was 9 or 10 (I just

turned 21 in November) when I started mimicking my dad sniffing (he has really

bad allergies) in a mean way. I guess that was my way of letting my parents know

I didn't like the sniffing. We used to get into really big fights about it ALL

the time, although I have recently moved out. I used to just go in my room when

he had allergy attacks, and cover my ears. I really only get angry when people

I'm close to make certain sounds. Which makes it kind of sad. I get set off by

slurping, gum smacking, crunching, sniffing, certain sounds my mom makes when

she talks that I can't really explain, and 'S' and 'P' sounds. These sounds are

absolutely maddening to me. My best friend used to snack gum all the time

(absolutely torturous)so I would hide my gum so she wouldn't ask for it and chew

it around me, or if she was already chewing gum I would go so far as to buy her

food so she would throw her gum out. And she knew it made me angry so she would

smack it when she was mad at me (Although, she doesn't do that anymore since we

found out I have misophonia). I found out about misophonia when I was searching

around the Internet for reasons why I am so sensitive to loud noises. I can't

use a vacuum or a hair dryer, and motorcycles and loud cars scare me. Loud

sounds have always scared me. When I was younger, I couldn't even flush a

toilet, and still sometimes have to cover my ears when flushing really loud

public toilets. Anyway, it was a complete accident that I came across it, but

I'm really glad I did because it means I'm not crazy, or a mean person. I always

thought I was just a horrible person for getting so angry at people I care about

over such a small thing. I also think my uncle might have it, but I've never

really felt comfortable enough to ask. My mom said he used to mimick her when

they were younger, and get angry at her over certain sounds she made. I also

think I have a mild form of OCD. The OCD doesn't affect my life very much, but I

know it's there, and it flares up when I'm stressed out. Also, my uncle was

diagnosed with aspergers when he was younger, and my second cousin has severe

autism. I myself have always been an extremely shy person, and it has definitely

gotten worse as I've gotten older. I don't even really know how to make friends

anymore. When I'm around someone new my brain just freezes up, and I completely

have no idea what to say. I mean, with people that I'm close to and have been

close with for a long time I'm normal, but around strangers I'm way awkward. I

love black and white (darkroom) photography. I'm going to college for it, and my

professor actually called me a genius in critiques one time. So I'd say I'm a

really visual person.

> > Anywho! That's me, PLEASE feel free to comment, and thank you for reading :]

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Steph, You are not alone. I too found out by accident that I have Misophonia. I was reading another website, actually an agony aunt forum in the uk, and one of the posters mentioned Misophonia. I had never heard of it and so went to have a look out of curiosity and thats when I discovered what had been happening to me too. There are 101 noises that I cant bear either and I also thought I was mean and horrible being so angry with loved ones about them. But at least now I know what the problem is. For me, the other part of this problem is that no-one will take me seriuosly!! I am sat next to a big patio window here as I type and often, I am so riled with various noises that I have got all on not throwing a brick through it!! These noises really fill me with rage and disgust and I feel like I will do something stupid if they dont

stop!!

One of the saddest things for me is that I only see my mum once every 6 weeks or two months or so. She is 80 years old and we lost my dad on Fathers day last year so she is on her own after virtually 60 years of marriage. And even bearing that in mind, I cannot bear it when she drinks or eats because she makes such awful noises! Even if she comes on the phone and is drinking a cup of tea I want to make an excuse to leave the call and come back when her drink is gone. When I am with her, as long as its not at meal time, I will make an excuse and say I am tidying up the kitchen or something. If I have to sit with her, my fingers are in my ears when I see her eat/drink something. Its really sad. I have told her about the Misophonia but I am not sure she understands really.

Shirl

Subject: Hello all! New here, this is my story.To: Soundsensitivity Date: Friday, 8 April, 2011, 4:36

My name is Steph. I started noticing the symptoms when I was 9 or 10 (I just turned 21 in November) when I started mimicking my dad sniffing (he has really bad allergies) in a mean way. I guess that was my way of letting my parents know I didn't like the sniffing. We used to get into really big fights about it ALL the time, although I have recently moved out. I used to just go in my room when he had allergy attacks, and cover my ears. I really only get angry when people I'm close to make certain sounds. Which makes it kind of sad. I get set off by slurping, gum smacking, crunching, sniffing, certain sounds my mom makes when she talks that I can't really explain, and 'S' and 'P' sounds. These sounds are absolutely maddening to me. My best friend used to snack gum all the time (absolutely torturous)so I would hide my gum so she wouldn't ask for it and chew it around me, or if she was already chewing gum I would go so far as to buy her

food so she would throw her gum out. And she knew it made me angry so she would smack it when she was mad at me (Although, she doesn't do that anymore since we found out I have misophonia). I found out about misophonia when I was searching around the Internet for reasons why I am so sensitive to loud noises. I can't use a vacuum or a hair dryer, and motorcycles and loud cars scare me. Loud sounds have always scared me. When I was younger, I couldn't even flush a toilet, and still sometimes have to cover my ears when flushing really loud public toilets. Anyway, it was a complete accident that I came across it, but I'm really glad I did because it means I'm not crazy, or a mean person. I always thought I was just a horrible person for getting so angry at people I care about over such a small thing. I also think my uncle might have it, but I've never really felt comfortable enough to ask. My mom said he used to mimick her when they were younger, and

get angry at her over certain sounds she made. I also think I have a mild form of OCD. The OCD doesn't affect my life very much, but I know it's there, and it flares up when I'm stressed out. Also, my uncle was diagnosed with aspergers when he was younger, and my second cousin has severe autism. I myself have always been an extremely shy person, and it has definitely gotten worse as I've gotten older. I don't even really know how to make friends anymore. When I'm around someone new my brain just freezes up, and I completely have no idea what to say. I mean, with people that I'm close to and have been close with for a long time I'm normal, but around strangers I'm way awkward. I love black and white (darkroom) photography. I'm going to college for it, and my professor actually called me a genius in critiques one time. So I'd say I'm a really visual person. Anywho! That's me, PLEASE feel free to comment, and thank you for reading

:]------------------------------------PLEASE BE AWARE THIS IS A STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL GROUP AND NO MESSAGES ARE TO BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE OUTSIDE OF THE YAHOO GROUP MEMBERSHIP SITE OR REPRODUCED OR COPIED AND MAILED FOR ANY PURPOSE. ALSO DO NOT SHARE MEMBER EMAIL ADDRESSES OR NAMES WITH ANYONE.Thank you. MJ

[Guest guest]

Welcome to our corner of the planet!!

"Mental Illness Annoyed" Gotta admit, that's a first for me. Never heard it put quite like that. Though I'd be careful about calling it "mental illness". yes, 4s is definitely annoying but I would not consider myself 'mentally ill' and we peoples can get mighty picky about our labels. But as long as it helped you find the place you need to be, I guess it works. Glad to have you!

Mi list e su list,

Tammy

To: Soundsensitivity Sent: Fri, April 8, 2011 2:40:34 AMSubject: Re: Hello all! New here, this is my story.

Hi Steph. I'm Sara. I'm 22 and Australian. I'm new and have just discovered that this exists too. One night I decided to search around on Google and see if I could find something. I searched for "mental illness annoyed" because I thought I might find some sort of condition that makes people get overly annoyed at something. It was a huge surprise to find so many other people with pretty much the exact same 'symptoms'. I couldn't believe that other people were annoyed at mouth related noises as much as me. If you want to read my story, I've added it in "Files" under "Sara's Story". Thank you for posting yours >> My name is Steph. I started noticing the symptoms when I was 9 or 10 (I just turned 21 in November) when I

started mimicking my dad sniffing (he has really bad allergies) in a mean way. I guess that was my way of letting my parents know I didn't like the sniffing. We used to get into really big fights about it ALL the time, although I have recently moved out. I used to just go in my room when he had allergy attacks, and cover my ears. I really only get angry when people I'm close to make certain sounds. Which makes it kind of sad. I get set off by slurping, gum smacking, crunching, sniffing, certain sounds my mom makes when she talks that I can't really explain, and 'S' and 'P' sounds. These sounds are absolutely maddening to me. My best friend used to snack gum all the time (absolutely torturous)so I would hide my gum so she wouldn't ask for it and chew it around me, or if she was already chewing gum I would go so far as to buy her food so she would throw her gum out. And she knew it made me angry so she would smack it when she was mad at me (Although, she

doesn't do that anymore since we found out I have misophonia). I found out about misophonia when I was searching around the Internet for reasons why I am so sensitive to loud noises. I can't use a vacuum or a hair dryer, and motorcycles and loud cars scare me. Loud sounds have always scared me. When I was younger, I couldn't even flush a toilet, and still sometimes have to cover my ears when flushing really loud public toilets. Anyway, it was a complete accident that I came across it, but I'm really glad I did because it means I'm not crazy, or a mean person. I always thought I was just a horrible person for getting so angry at people I care about over such a small thing. I also think my uncle might have it, but I've never really felt comfortable enough to ask. My mom said he used to mimick her when they were younger, and get angry at her over certain sounds she made. I also think I have a mild form of OCD. The OCD doesn't affect my life very much, but

I know it's there, and it flares up when I'm stressed out. Also, my uncle was diagnosed with aspergers when he was younger, and my second cousin has severe autism. I myself have always been an extremely shy person, and it has definitely gotten worse as I've gotten older. I don't even really know how to make friends anymore. When I'm around someone new my brain just freezes up, and I completely have no idea what to say. I mean, with people that I'm close to and have been close with for a long time I'm normal, but around strangers I'm way awkward. I love black and white (darkroom) photography. I'm going to college for it, and my professor actually called me a genius in critiques one time. So I'd say I'm a really visual person. > Anywho! That's me, PLEASE feel free to comment, and thank you for reading :]>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tammy, thank you for welcoming us new ones to the group. I wouldn't label it

as mental illness either, I just didn't know what to search for on Google. I

didn't type in " annoyed by mouth noises " or something like that because I

honestly believed I wouldn't find anything. It's such a relief to know I'm not

alone, but at the same time saddening knowing that others are going through it

as well. Have you found it helpful to have others to talk to about it? Sara.

> >

> > My name is Steph. I started noticing the symptoms when I was 9 or 10 (I just

> >turned 21 in November) when I started mimicking my dad sniffing (he has

really

> >bad allergies) in a mean way. I guess that was my way of letting my parents

know

> >I didn't like the sniffing. We used to get into really big fights about it

ALL

> >the time, although I have recently moved out. I used to just go in my room

when

> >he had allergy attacks, and cover my ears. I really only get angry when

people

> >I'm close to make certain sounds. Which makes it kind of sad. I get set off

by

> >slurping, gum smacking, crunching, sniffing, certain sounds my mom makes when

> >she talks that I can't really explain, and 'S' and 'P' sounds. These sounds

are

> >absolutely maddening to me. My best friend used to snack gum all the time

> >(absolutely torturous)so I would hide my gum so she wouldn't ask for it and

chew

> >it around me, or if she was already chewing gum I would go so far as to buy

her

> >food so she would throw her gum out. And she knew it made me angry so she

would

> >smack it when she was mad at me (Although, she doesn't do that anymore since

we

> >found out I have misophonia). I found out about misophonia when I was

searching

> >around the Internet for reasons why I am so sensitive to loud noises. I can't

> >use a vacuum or a hair dryer, and motorcycles and loud cars scare me. Loud

> >sounds have always scared me. When I was younger, I couldn't even flush a

> >toilet, and still sometimes have to cover my ears when flushing really loud

> >public toilets. Anyway, it was a complete accident that I came across it, but

> >I'm really glad I did because it means I'm not crazy, or a mean person. I

always

> >thought I was just a horrible person for getting so angry at people I care

about

> >over such a small thing. I also think my uncle might have it, but I've never

> >really felt comfortable enough to ask. My mom said he used to mimick her when

> >they were younger, and get angry at her over certain sounds she made. I also

> >think I have a mild form of OCD. The OCD doesn't affect my life very much,

but I

> >know it's there, and it flares up when I'm stressed out. Also, my uncle was

> >diagnosed with aspergers when he was younger, and my second cousin has severe

> >autism. I myself have always been an extremely shy person, and it has

definitely

> >gotten worse as I've gotten older. I don't even really know how to make

friends

> >anymore. When I'm around someone new my brain just freezes up, and I

completely

> >have no idea what to say. I mean, with people that I'm close to and have been

> >close with for a long time I'm normal, but around strangers I'm way awkward.

I

> >love black and white (darkroom) photography. I'm going to college for it, and

my

> >professor actually called me a genius in critiques one time. So I'd say I'm a

> >really visual person.

> >

> > Anywho! That's me, PLEASE feel free to comment, and thank you for reading :]

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome Sara! I do not think any or most of ever imagined other people like us. It wasn't till my mom gave me an article on hyperucusis that I even thought to google this. So glad I and you and everyone else here did. While we don't have a cure, we've got some good pointers, have each other and are growing in numbers so we have more people doing outreach with their medical providers and anyone who will listen and eventually get the medical community interested in researching us. Heidi Sent from my iPhone

Hi Tammy, thank you for welcoming us new ones to the group. I wouldn't label it as mental illness either, I just didn't know what to search for on Google. I didn't type in "annoyed by mouth noises" or something like that because I honestly believed I wouldn't find anything. It's such a relief to know I'm not alone, but at the same time saddening knowing that others are going through it as well. Have you found it helpful to have others to talk to about it? Sara.

> >

> > My name is Steph. I started noticing the symptoms when I was 9 or 10 (I just

> >turned 21 in November) when I started mimicking my dad sniffing (he has really

> >bad allergies) in a mean way. I guess that was my way of letting my parents know

> >I didn't like the sniffing. We used to get into really big fights about it ALL

> >the time, although I have recently moved out. I used to just go in my room when

> >he had allergy attacks, and cover my ears. I really only get angry when people

> >I'm close to make certain sounds. Which makes it kind of sad. I get set off by

> >slurping, gum smacking, crunching, sniffing, certain sounds my mom makes when

> >she talks that I can't really explain, and 'S' and 'P' sounds. These sounds are

> >absolutely maddening to me. My best friend used to snack gum all the time

> >(absolutely torturous)so I would hide my gum so she wouldn't ask for it and chew

> >it around me, or if she was already chewing gum I would go so far as to buy her

> >food so she would throw her gum out. And she knew it made me angry so she would

> >smack it when she was mad at me (Although, she doesn't do that anymore since we

> >found out I have misophonia). I found out about misophonia when I was searching

> >around the Internet for reasons why I am so sensitive to loud noises. I can't

> >use a vacuum or a hair dryer, and motorcycles and loud cars scare me. Loud

> >sounds have always scared me. When I was younger, I couldn't even flush a

> >toilet, and still sometimes have to cover my ears when flushing really loud

> >public toilets. Anyway, it was a complete accident that I came across it, but

> >I'm really glad I did because it means I'm not crazy, or a mean person. I always

> >thought I was just a horrible person for getting so angry at people I care about

> >over such a small thing. I also think my uncle might have it, but I've never

> >really felt comfortable enough to ask. My mom said he used to mimick her when

> >they were younger, and get angry at her over certain sounds she made. I also

> >think I have a mild form of OCD. The OCD doesn't affect my life very much, but I

> >know it's there, and it flares up when I'm stressed out. Also, my uncle was

> >diagnosed with aspergers when he was younger, and my second cousin has severe

> >autism. I myself have always been an extremely shy person, and it has definitely

> >gotten worse as I've gotten older. I don't even really know how to make friends

> >anymore. When I'm around someone new my brain just freezes up, and I completely

> >have no idea what to say. I mean, with people that I'm close to and have been

> >close with for a long time I'm normal, but around strangers I'm way awkward. I

> >love black and white (darkroom) photography. I'm going to college for it, and my

> >professor actually called me a genius in critiques one time. So I'd say I'm a

> >really visual person.

> >

> > Anywho! That's me, PLEASE feel free to comment, and thank you for reading :]

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Shirley, that is SO terrible, I am so sorry that you have to go through that! I

couldn't imagine not being able to be there for my mom when she needed me. And I

understand the whole people not really getting it thing. My best friend knows

that I have it, and I've explained it to her, but she still gets angry when I

act upset about her noises, and she hasn't made an effort to not eat or drink

when on the phone with me. Ugh, and she gulps when she swallows...right near the

receiver..GULPS! And then after gulping she always goes " Ahh " after. It makes me

so angry. I swallow liquids without gulping, so why can't she? And she

chews..mouth obviously open and everything. End of rant..lol. My mom is so

understanding about it though. She always warns me when she's about to eat

something crunchy, and when she takes her vitamins she gulps, so she tells me

before she does that also. Really nice of her.

>

>

>

> Subject: Hello all! New here, this is my story.

> To: Soundsensitivity

> Date: Friday, 8 April, 2011, 4:36

>

>

> My name is Steph. I started noticing the symptoms when I was 9 or 10 (I just

turned 21 in November) when I started mimicking my dad sniffing (he has really

bad allergies) in a mean way. I guess that was my way of letting my parents know

I didn't like the sniffing. We used to get into really big fights about it ALL

the time, although I have recently moved out. I used to just go in my room when

he had allergy attacks, and cover my ears. I really only get angry when people

I'm close to make certain sounds. Which makes it kind of sad. I get set off by

slurping, gum smacking, crunching, sniffing, certain sounds my mom makes when

she talks that I can't really explain, and 'S' and 'P' sounds. These sounds are

absolutely maddening to me. My best friend used to snack gum all the time

(absolutely torturous)so I would hide my gum so she wouldn't ask for it and chew

it around me, or if she was already chewing gum I would go so far as to buy her

food so she would

> throw her gum out. And she knew it made me angry so she would smack it when

she was mad at me (Although, she doesn't do that anymore since we found out I

have misophonia). I found out about misophonia when I was searching around the

Internet for reasons why I am so sensitive to loud noises. I can't use a vacuum

or a hair dryer, and motorcycles and loud cars scare me. Loud sounds have always

scared me. When I was younger, I  couldn't even flush a toilet, and still

sometimes have to cover my ears when flushing really loud public toilets.

Anyway, it was a complete accident that I came across it, but I'm really glad I

did because it means I'm not crazy, or a mean person. I always thought I was

just a horrible person for getting so angry at people I care about over such a

small thing. I also think my uncle might have it, but I've never really felt

comfortable enough to ask. My mom said he used to mimick her when they were

younger, and get angry at her over

> certain sounds she made. I also think I have a mild form of OCD. The OCD

doesn't affect my life very much, but I know it's there, and it flares up when

I'm stressed out. Also, my uncle was diagnosed with aspergers when he was

younger, and my second cousin has severe autism. I myself have always been an

extremely shy person, and it has definitely gotten worse as I've gotten older. I

don't even really know how to make friends anymore. When I'm around someone new

my brain just freezes up, and I completely have no idea what to say. I mean,

with people that I'm close to and have been close with for a long time I'm

normal, but around strangers I'm way awkward. I love black and white (darkroom)

photography. I'm going to college for it, and my professor actually called me a

genius in critiques one time. So I'd say I'm a really visual person.

> Anywho! That's me, PLEASE feel free to comment, and thank you for reading :]

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> PLEASE BE AWARE THIS IS A STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL GROUP AND NO MESSAGES ARE TO

BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE OUTSIDE OF THE YAHOO GROUP MEMBERSHIP SITE OR REPRODUCED

OR COPIED AND MAILED FOR ANY PURPOSE. 

>

> ALSO DO NOT SHARE MEMBER EMAIL ADDRESSES OR NAMES WITH ANYONE.

> Thank you.  MJ

[Guest guest]

Hi Steph! I'm new to this group too, and I'm 23. I have similar issues with my

family's eating habits, but I do not (thankfully) have any issues with loud

noises. Isn't it such a relief to know that there are other people with the same

issues? That we're not just crazy and mean people? Oddly enough, I'm also a

photographer! I went to college for it and currently work as a

photographer/retoucher for large corporation. The head of the photography

department at my college once told me " You have an eye for this. It's really

rare for people to be so visually inclined, use it! " Isn't it strange that we

both have this auditory " issue " yet visually we seem to be gifted?? That really

struck me while reading your story. Feel free to email me or message me if you

want to chat! megandolan611@...

>

> My name is Steph. I started noticing the symptoms when I was 9 or 10 (I just

turned 21 in November) when I started mimicking my dad sniffing (he has really

bad allergies) in a mean way. I guess that was my way of letting my parents know

I didn't like the sniffing. We used to get into really big fights about it ALL

the time, although I have recently moved out. I used to just go in my room when

he had allergy attacks, and cover my ears. I really only get angry when people

I'm close to make certain sounds. Which makes it kind of sad. I get set off by

slurping, gum smacking, crunching, sniffing, certain sounds my mom makes when

she talks that I can't really explain, and 'S' and 'P' sounds. These sounds are

absolutely maddening to me. My best friend used to snack gum all the time

(absolutely torturous)so I would hide my gum so she wouldn't ask for it and chew

it around me, or if she was already chewing gum I would go so far as to buy her

food so she would throw her gum out. And she knew it made me angry so she would

smack it when she was mad at me (Although, she doesn't do that anymore since we

found out I have misophonia). I found out about misophonia when I was searching

around the Internet for reasons why I am so sensitive to loud noises. I can't

use a vacuum or a hair dryer, and motorcycles and loud cars scare me. Loud

sounds have always scared me. When I was younger, I couldn't even flush a

toilet, and still sometimes have to cover my ears when flushing really loud

public toilets. Anyway, it was a complete accident that I came across it, but

I'm really glad I did because it means I'm not crazy, or a mean person. I always

thought I was just a horrible person for getting so angry at people I care about

over such a small thing. I also think my uncle might have it, but I've never

really felt comfortable enough to ask. My mom said he used to mimick her when

they were younger, and get angry at her over certain sounds she made. I also

think I have a mild form of OCD. The OCD doesn't affect my life very much, but I

know it's there, and it flares up when I'm stressed out. Also, my uncle was

diagnosed with aspergers when he was younger, and my second cousin has severe

autism. I myself have always been an extremely shy person, and it has definitely

gotten worse as I've gotten older. I don't even really know how to make friends

anymore. When I'm around someone new my brain just freezes up, and I completely

have no idea what to say. I mean, with people that I'm close to and have been

close with for a long time I'm normal, but around strangers I'm way awkward. I

love black and white (darkroom) photography. I'm going to college for it, and my

professor actually called me a genius in critiques one time. So I'd say I'm a

really visual person.

> Anywho! That's me, PLEASE feel free to comment, and thank you for reading :]

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Shirley. It's good that you can still spend time with her, and take care

of her. It's just a shame there has to always be the misophonia in the way. I

would love to just completely enjoy a family member, or close friend's time

without having to have that unnecessary annoyance in the way, you know? Oh my

goodness, my dad often sits at the table and rustles a newspaper or his napkin

against the table or place mat when he's thinking or in a conversation with

someone that requires deep thought. I usually ask him politely to please stop,

and sometimes he does it more after I ask, as a joke. SO not funny though. I

don't think he realizes how much it upsets me. He also crinkles chip bags

(crisps there, lol) when he's eating. It's hard to have people in our lives not

understand. Like with your husband and his coughing, they have no idea how a

little bit of effort would make our lives so much easier. With my dad, I can

tell when he's about to have a really bad allergy attack, but he always waits

until it gets really horrible to take allergy medication. And I get that feeling

of disgust too. It's often not just anger, it's complete disgust like, 'How

could you even be making these sounds and stand to live with yourself?' That

sounds SO horrible, but I can't help how it makes me feel. Recently, I've moved

in with my boyfriend and his dad. Hid dad's room is right next to ours, and the

walls are kind of thin. Normally, I don't get set off by people I don't really

know but lately I've been getting really set off by him burping. It is so gross,

and he often does it multiple times in a row. There's nothing I can do about it

either, as I know he wouldn't understand if I told him.

Yes, I am so grateful for my mom's understanding. We're a lot alike, and are

really close. She usually has a bag of candy in her room for when she watches

shows before bed (we often watch together), and they're usually really crunchy

candies, but one day my parents came back from grocery shopping and she had

boughten all soft, non-noisy candy!! It's things like that that make life so

much easier, and stress free. She's always trying to be the middleman for my dad

and I fighting over it though. I feel badly about that. Always protecting him

from my anger, and me from his noises.

I'm afraid to tell certain people for that specific reason: they might think I'm

making it up for attention. That, and they might not get it. If I didn't have

it, I know I would have a hard time understanding it.

Also, certain movements were a big part of my misophonia when I was living at

home. My dad would pinch his nose before sniffing, and my mom would make a weird

movement with her mouth while drinking her coffee or saying certain words that

just drove me insane! If my mom was talking to me and making those movements I

would get so angry I had to turn away, and usually said something about it,

cutting her off in the process.

I have indeed heard of The Grand National Horse Race, very neat being only 20

minutes away! I live in New Smyrna Beach Florida, and Daytona is only 20 minutes

away from us, where they hold the Daytona 500. I'm definitely not a racing fan,

but it's pretty cool when people come from all over to watch.

Hope you're having a nice, stress-free day!

Steph (My yahoo name is under 'Carly', but my name is actually Steph)

> >

> >

> > From: Carly <s_grass610@>

> > Subject: Hello all! New here, this is my story.

> > To: Soundsensitivity

> > Date: Friday, 8 April, 2011, 4:36

> >

> >

> > My name is Steph. I started noticing the symptoms when I was 9 or 10 (I just

turned 21 in November) when I started mimicking my dad sniffing (he has really

bad allergies) in a mean way. I guess that was my way of letting my parents know

I didn't like the sniffing. We used to get into really big fights about it ALL

the time, although I have recently moved out. I used to just go in my room when

he had allergy attacks, and cover my ears. I really only get angry when people

I'm close to make certain sounds. Which makes it kind of sad. I get set off by

slurping, gum smacking, crunching, sniffing, certain sounds my mom makes when

she talks that I can't really explain, and 'S' and 'P' sounds. These sounds are

absolutely maddening to me. My best friend used to snack gum all the time

(absolutely torturous)so I would hide my gum so she wouldn't ask for it and chew

it around me, or if she was already chewing gum I would go so far as to buy her

food so she would

> >  throw her gum out. And she knew it made me angry so she would smack it when

she was mad at me (Although, she doesn't do that anymore since we found out I

have misophonia). I found out about misophonia when I was searching around the

Internet for reasons why I am so sensitive to loud noises. I can't use a vacuum

or a hair dryer, and motorcycles and loud cars scare me. Loud sounds have always

scared me. When I was younger, I  couldn't even flush a toilet, and still

sometimes have to cover my ears when flushing really loud public toilets.

Anyway, it was a complete accident that I came across it, but I'm really glad I

did because it means I'm not crazy, or a mean person. I always thought I was

just a horrible person for getting so angry at people I care about over such a

small thing. I also think my uncle might have it, but I've never really felt

comfortable enough to ask. My mom said he used to mimick her when they were

younger, and get angry at her

> over

> >  certain sounds she made. I also think I have a mild form of OCD. The OCD

doesn't affect my life very much, but I know it's there, and it flares up when

I'm stressed out. Also, my uncle was diagnosed with aspergers when he was

younger, and my second cousin has severe autism. I myself have always been an

extremely shy person, and it has definitely gotten worse as I've gotten older. I

don't even really know how to make friends anymore. When I'm around someone new

my brain just freezes up, and I completely have no idea what to say. I mean,

with people that I'm close to and have been close with for a long time I'm

normal, but around strangers I'm way awkward. I love black and white (darkroom)

photography. I'm going to college for it, and my professor actually called me a

genius in critiques one time. So I'd say I'm a really visual person.

> > Anywho! That's me, PLEASE feel free to comment, and thank you for reading :]

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> > PLEASE BE AWARE THIS IS A STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL GROUP AND NO MESSAGES ARE TO

BE USED FOR ANY PURPOSE OUTSIDE OF THE YAHOO GROUP MEMBERSHIP SITE OR REPRODUCED

OR COPIED AND MAILED FOR ANY PURPOSE. 

> >

> > ALSO DO NOT SHARE MEMBER EMAIL ADDRESSES OR NAMES WITH ANYONE.

> > Thank you.  MJ

[Guest guest]

Hi ! I couldn't find your email anywhere, so I decided to respond here

instead. Yes, I completely agree, it's wonderful having people to talk to about

this, and knowing we're not the only ones out there! Wow, that is interesting..I

wonder if they're connected somehow?? Very strange indeed! I have always loved

photography, and when my first semester of college was over one of my classmates

and I were talking, and she told me about how the class would talk about my work

when I wasn't around. And on one of our last days, one of my classmates who I

really looked up to was looking through my contact sheets, and said, " You really

see things different then the rest of us. " I'd say it's definitely an upside for

having to deal with the downside of misophonia! My email address is:

S_grass610@... if you'd like the email me :]

> >

> > My name is Steph. I started noticing the symptoms when I was 9 or 10 (I just

turned 21 in November) when I started mimicking my dad sniffing (he has really

bad allergies) in a mean way. I guess that was my way of letting my parents know

I didn't like the sniffing. We used to get into really big fights about it ALL

the time, although I have recently moved out. I used to just go in my room when

he had allergy attacks, and cover my ears. I really only get angry when people

I'm close to make certain sounds. Which makes it kind of sad. I get set off by

slurping, gum smacking, crunching, sniffing, certain sounds my mom makes when

she talks that I can't really explain, and 'S' and 'P' sounds. These sounds are

absolutely maddening to me. My best friend used to snack gum all the time

(absolutely torturous)so I would hide my gum so she wouldn't ask for it and chew

it around me, or if she was already chewing gum I would go so far as to buy her

food so she would throw her gum out. And she knew it made me angry so she would

smack it when she was mad at me (Although, she doesn't do that anymore since we

found out I have misophonia). I found out about misophonia when I was searching

around the Internet for reasons why I am so sensitive to loud noises. I can't

use a vacuum or a hair dryer, and motorcycles and loud cars scare me. Loud

sounds have always scared me. When I was younger, I couldn't even flush a

toilet, and still sometimes have to cover my ears when flushing really loud

public toilets. Anyway, it was a complete accident that I came across it, but

I'm really glad I did because it means I'm not crazy, or a mean person. I always

thought I was just a horrible person for getting so angry at people I care about

over such a small thing. I also think my uncle might have it, but I've never

really felt comfortable enough to ask. My mom said he used to mimick her when

they were younger, and get angry at her over certain sounds she made. I also

think I have a mild form of OCD. The OCD doesn't affect my life very much, but I

know it's there, and it flares up when I'm stressed out. Also, my uncle was

diagnosed with aspergers when he was younger, and my second cousin has severe

autism. I myself have always been an extremely shy person, and it has definitely

gotten worse as I've gotten older. I don't even really know how to make friends

anymore. When I'm around someone new my brain just freezes up, and I completely

have no idea what to say. I mean, with people that I'm close to and have been

close with for a long time I'm normal, but around strangers I'm way awkward. I

love black and white (darkroom) photography. I'm going to college for it, and my

professor actually called me a genius in critiques one time. So I'd say I'm a

really visual person.

> > Anywho! That's me, PLEASE feel free to comment, and thank you for reading :]

> >

>