RE: Re: New 4S misophonia website

[Guest guest]



Hi there Kip,

Thanks for the suggestion. Let me affirm your right to go to your sanctuary--the gym to workout in peace--without the presence of chewing gum. I have in the past expressed myself through suggestion boxes but like your approach better. The only place I have seen a "no gum" sign is by a swimming pool. I would imagine that if the gum got caught up in the filtering equipment it could cause a lot of damage.

When it comes to gum in the gyms I go to--there is no sacred place. Yoga classes, restrooms, showers, locker room are not necessarily sanctuaries. Some people actually use their gum chewing to keep a beat while they are exercising.

I certainly will consider approaching gym staff and asking about their policy. Here is the thing--oftentimes they are chewing gum too! IMHO it is absolutely boorish for the staff to be chewing gum!

What you point out about the choking risk is very real. My nephew turned blue when he was very young after consuming of all things---a lifesaver! When you are moving around at a gym--I would imagine the risk of choking increases.

It is good to be reminded that when we make requests for others to behave themselves that helps us and others who have the same grievance. I now make such requests frequently. It gets easier with practice.

All the Best!

Sonya

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of GordonSent: Friday, March 26, 2010 12:26 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Re: New 4S misophonia website

I use the gym to escape from gum chewing!! I go to an MMA gym plus the

local YMCA.

Whenever I hear or see someone snapping and popping that gum I freak out! That's my sanctum! Luckily gyms as not like schools(thankfully), and there are a couple great points for both the offender and (more importantly) the owner(s).

1. If the gum escapes the chewers mouth, it will get all over the equipment, carpets, or mats, and gym owners hate that.

2. If the chewer INHALES the gum, that person could choke and very easily expire, and who would get sued? The gym!

Approach the gym manager or owner, and ask about the gum chewing policy

And present these points. I've had to do this recently-the owner of the fighting gym I go to has a 19-year old who snaps gum like rifle shots. I brought up the fact that not only us it a health hazard, but it's distracting and "this isn't the living room". I don't kickbox in your space, so please don't put your bad personal habits on me!

Once he heard "choking hazard" daddy quickly outlawed gum, candy-food in general. I'm on disability(not for 4s), so going to the gym has become my life. I need that routine and stability, not triggers I could pick-up a dime -a-dozen at the mall.

Who works out and chews gum?

Vent over,

Kip

From the Mind of Gordon

On 25-Mar-10, at 21:12, "Sonya Sidky" <sidkycharter (DOT) net> wrote:

Hmmm...Sonya here again...

I read your definition of misophonia more carefully...

I am far from afraid of all sounds. That does not describe me at all. I have developed a fear of certain sounds. I.E chewing gum. I am happy to report that I have recently had a breakthrough with that. Last week I started attending a Bodypump class at the gym again after months of avoidance. I have gone three times now. Logically speaking I cannot hear the gum being chewed most of the class because the music is very loud (the louder the better as far as I am concerned). I still react to the gum chewers around me with feelings of judgment and rage, but it is of much lower intensity than it was before and I enjoy most of the class. Nevertheless, this is one 4ser who would be perfectly happy to see gum disappear of the face of the earth. Another breakthrough I had recently was that I competed in a multiday backgammon tournament a couple of weeks ago. I had been avoiding doing so for a couple of years for fear of getting trapped near a gum chewer. In fact, I knew at this particular tournament they not only provided treats such as candies and cookies but they always made gum available. I acted rather boldly during the course of the tournament. I made several requests for people not to chew gum around me and at the beginning of one of the days, I relieved the baskets of all the gum. I stuck a crap load of gum in my coat pocket which has a hole in it. So now I have gum in the seams of my coat. Occasionally I set myself off because I will notice the smell of gum and then I remember it is just me. I have decided to continue to let my coat wreak of gum in order to desensitize myself from associating the smell of gum with the sound.

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of Sonya SidkySent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 6:22 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: RE: Re: New 4S misophonia website

Hello Dr. J,

Thank you for validating that 4S and misophonia are different conditions. Indeed the distinction is not at all trivial. I would love to participate in your survey because I have 4s and I have misophonia and yes, I have OCD also. The OCD is not as prominent of a player as 4s and misophonia. It is problematic to get a diagnosis of misophonia let alone 4s since neither is well understood. In my humble opinion, I have misophonia as a result of 4S plus the perception that I was trapped by certain sounds. I think it makes a lot of sense that someone who hates soft sounds such as gum chewing would develop a phobia of it given a certain set of environmental conditions.

I have made a great deal of progress in dealing with my OCD and even more recently in my misophonia. As far as 4S goes, nothing has been successful in eliminating it totally, however I have made progress by eating a very clean diet. I eat a vegetarian, mostly vegan high raw food diet and have done three Master Cleanses. I feel like my senses in general have cleared up and that eating this type of diet has really made my nervous system work better. To me, this would suggest that 4S is highly related to the nervous system. I wish someone would study me and others like me and compare to people with 4S who eat a different type of diet.

As far as your five points below, #s 1,2, 4, and 5 describe my situation exactly. I can very much tell the different between my 4S, OCD and misophonia experiences. #3 is a little different for me because I remember seeing home video of me at age two or three where I was happy one minute and then suddenly I became distressed and I was hitting and pulling my ears. This behavior carried out throughout my childhood and continued in a more hidden form as I got older.

Again, I certainly would be willing to participate in your survey, but have held back since I do not have a diagnosis of either 4S or misophonia. The only formal diagnosis I received was for OCD and the medications to treat it did not help any of my problems.

Thanks,

Sonya

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of anthro_popSent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:41 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: New 4S misophonia website

4S and Misophonia are not the same condition in my point of view. I have more experience than anyone else with regard to case study, data collection, personal interactions and evaluations, in my 12 years of clinical practice.This is not a trivial remark. There are clearly distinct differences between 4S and misophonia and I have been unable to locate many people who have been professionally diagnosed with misophonia despite repeated outreach attempts to collect data. Recently a poll survey I conducted captured less than 20 response, less than half of whom had actually been diagnosed with misophonia by a professional qualified medical provider. 4S has some very peculiar and distinct etiology. Here are the most common:1) dislike of only softer often nearly inaudible sounds, trigger sounds that are most often human-generated2) rarely any concern with louder sounds, actually many 4S sufferers love complex noisy places as this drowns out the trigger sounds3) onset most often pre-puberty, often sudden, often with a distinct memory or moment with onset of reaction that is clearly recalled4) resistence to improvement when using drug therapies for other similar conditions, i.e., OCD, phobias, etc. 4S seems nearly unresponsive to multiple medications or cognitive therapies5) strong indication of genetic component including immediate family members, family recollection of others in family with this same conditionWell, that is a bit of a simple list. For lack of a better word, I think many people with 4S have been mis-diagnosed with ADD or HD or OCD or hypersensitive or social difficulties etc etc and also been mis-labeled with misophonia.Cognitive therapy can help people with any serious physical or mental condition, learning to restructure your thinking or beliefs can make a huge difference in so many areas, but it does not appear to 'cure' or 'fix' 4S OR Misophonia. Period. It can help, yes, but those whom I have surveyed and followed over years of interaction have reported that the effects seem primarily placebo in effect and do not persist to any great degree of resolution. There may be exceptions.Misophonia therapy has been described as listening to pleasant music at increasing loudness in 3 week cycles. Dozens of people with 4S have tried this, to no avail. 4S does not respond to louder music as those with 4S LIKE louder places, not quiet ones.Misophonics dislike all sounds. It is not simply some sounds, it is MOST sounds and that is an unusual issue and I have yes seen these in the clinic. Re introducing them to the world of sound is a pleasure and takes less time than one might think. The 4S patient does not recover over time, in my professional opinion, but they do learn to 'deal with' their issues and accordingly structure their lives, relationships, children, friends, and much more, often quite successfully! 4S patients are often very bright smart people who figure out even when young how to 'handle' this issue and how best to get along. Most of them manage to succeed and even thrive, and one aspect is they are often empathetic towards others (some go into medicine or health careers).I hope this helps. Good luck with your own website.Dr. J

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[Guest guest]

gum is illegal in Singapore!!To: Soundsensitivity From: sidky@...Date: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:36:53 -0500Subject: RE: Re: New 4S misophonia website Hi there Kip, Thanks for the suggestion. Let me affirm your right to go to your sanctuary--the gym to workout in peace--without the presence of chewing gum. I have in the past expressed myself through suggestion boxes but like your approach better. The only place I have seen a "no gum" sign is by a swimming pool. I would imagine that if the gum got caught up in the filtering equipment it could cause a lot of damage. When it comes to gum in the gyms I go to--there is no sacred place. Yoga classes, restrooms, showers, locker room are not necessarily sanctuaries. Some people actually use their gum chewing to keep a beat while they are exercising. I certainly will consider approaching gym staff and asking about their policy. Here is the thing--oftentimes they are chewing gum too! IMHO it is absolutely boorish for the staff to be chewing gum! What you point out about the choking risk is very real. My nephew turned blue when he was very young after consuming of all things---a lifesaver! When you are moving around at a gym--I would imagine the risk of choking increases. It is good to be reminded that when we make requests for others to behave themselves that helps us and others who have the same grievance. I now make such requests frequently. It gets easier with practice. All the Best! Sonya -----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of GordonSent: Friday, March 26, 2010 12:26 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Re: New 4S misophonia website I use the gym to escape from gum chewing!! I go to an MMA gym plus thelocal YMCA.Whenever I hear or see someone snapping and popping that gum I freak out! That's my sanctum! Luckily gyms as not like schools(thankfully), and there are a couple great points for both the offender and (more importantly) the owner(s).1. If the gum escapes the chewers mouth, it will get all over the equipment, carpets, or mats, and gym owners hate that.2. If the chewer INHALES the gum, that person could choke and very easily expire, and who would get sued? The gym!Approach the gym manager or owner, and ask about the gum chewing policyAnd present these points. I've had to do this recently-the owner of the fighting gym I go to has a 19-year old who snaps gum like rifle shots. I brought up the fact that not only us it a health hazard, but it's distracting and "this isn't the living room". I don't kickbox in your space, so please don't put your bad personal habits on me!Once he heard "choking hazard" daddy quickly outlawed gum, candy-food in general. I'm on disability(not for 4s), so going to the gym has become my life. I need that routine and stability, not triggers I could pick-up a dime -a-dozen at the mall.Who works out and chews gum? Vent over,KipFrom the Mind of GordonOn 25-Mar-10, at 21:12, "Sonya Sidky" <sidkycharter (DOT) net> wrote: Hmmm...Sonya here again... I read your definition of misophonia more carefully... I am far from afraid of all sounds. That does not describe me at all. I have developed a fear of certain sounds. I.E chewing gum. I am happy to report that I have recently had a breakthrough with that. Last week I started attending a Bodypump class at the gym again after months of avoidance. I have gone three times now. Logically speaking I cannot hear the gum being chewed most of the class because the music is very loud (the louder the better as far as I am concerned). I still react to the gum chewers around me with feelings of judgment and rage, but it is of much lower intensity than it was before and I enjoy most of the class. Nevertheless, this is one 4ser who would be perfectly happy to see gum disappear of the face of the earth. Another breakthrough I had recently was that I competed in a multiday backgammon tournament a couple of weeks ago. I had been avoiding doing so for a couple of years for fear of getting trapped near a gum chewer. In fact, I knew at this particular tournament they not only provided treats such as candies and cookies but they always made gum available. I acted rather boldly during the course of the tournament. I made several requests for people not to chew gum around me and at the beginning of one of the days, I relieved the baskets of all the gum. I stuck a crap load of gum in my coat pocket which has a hole in it. So now I have gum in the seams of my coat. Occasionally I set myself off because I will notice the smell of gum and then I remember it is just me. I have decided to continue to let my coat wreak of gum in order to desensitize myself from associating the smell of gum with the sound. -----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of Sonya SidkySent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 6:22 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: RE: Re: New 4S misophonia website Hello Dr. J, Thank you for validating that 4S and misophonia are different conditions. Indeed the distinction is not at all trivial. I would love to participate in your survey because I have 4s and I have misophonia and yes, I have OCD also. The OCD is not as prominent of a player as 4s and misophonia. It is problematic to get a diagnosis of misophonia let alone 4s since neither is well understood. In my humble opinion, I have misophonia as a result of 4S plus the perception that I was trapped by certain sounds. I think it makes a lot of sense that someone who hates soft sounds such as gum chewing would develop a phobia of it given a certain set of environmental conditions. I have made a great deal of progress in dealing with my OCD and even more recently in my misophonia. As far as 4S goes, nothing has been successful in eliminating it totally, however I have made progress by eating a very clean diet. I eat a vegetarian, mostly vegan high raw food diet and have done three Master Cleanses. I feel like my senses in general have cleared up and that eating this type of diet has really made my nervous system work better. To me, this would suggest that 4S is highly related to the nervous system. I wish someone would study me and others like me and compare to people with 4S who eat a different type of diet. As far as your five points below, #s 1,2, 4, and 5 describe my situation exactly. I can very much tell the different between my 4S, OCD and misophonia experiences. #3 is a little different for me because I remember seeing home video of me at age two or three where I was happy one minute and then suddenly I became distressed and I was hitting and pulling my ears. This behavior carried out throughout my childhood and continued in a more hidden form as I got older. Again, I certainly would be willing to participate in your survey, but have held back since I do not have a diagnosis of either 4S or misophonia. The only formal diagnosis I received was for OCD and the medications to treat it did not help any of my problems. Thanks, Sonya -----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of anthro_popSent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:41 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: New 4S misophonia website 4S and Misophonia are not the same condition in my point of view. I have more experience than anyone else with regard to case study, data collection, personal interactions and evaluations, in my 12 years of clinical practice.This is not a trivial remark. There are clearly distinct differences between 4S and misophonia and I have been unable to locate many people who have been professionally diagnosed with misophonia despite repeated outreach attempts to collect data. Recently a poll survey I conducted captured less than 20 response, less than half of whom had actually been diagnosed with misophonia by a professional qualified medical provider. 4S has some very peculiar and distinct etiology. Here are the most common:1) dislike of only softer often nearly inaudible sounds, trigger sounds that are most often human-generated2) rarely any concern with louder sounds, actually many 4S sufferers love complex noisy places as this drowns out the trigger sounds3) onset most often pre-puberty, often sudden, often with a distinct memory or moment with onset of reaction that is clearly recalled4) resistence to improvement when using drug therapies for other similar conditions, i.e., OCD, phobias, etc. 4S seems nearly unresponsive to multiple medications or cognitive therapies5) strong indication of genetic component including immediate family members, family recollection of others in family with this same conditionWell, that is a bit of a simple list. For lack of a better word, I think many people with 4S have been mis-diagnosed with ADD or HD or OCD or hypersensitive or social difficulties etc etc and also been mis-labeled with misophonia.Cognitive therapy can help people with any serious physical or mental condition, learning to restructure your thinking or beliefs can make a huge difference in so many areas, but it does not appear to 'cure' or 'fix' 4S OR Misophonia. Period. It can help, yes, but those whom I have surveyed and followed over years of interaction have reported that the effects seem primarily placebo in effect and do not persist to any great degree of resolution. There may be exceptions.Misophonia therapy has been described as listening to pleasant music at increasing loudness in 3 week cycles. Dozens of people with 4S have tried this, to no avail. 4S does not respond to louder music as those with 4S LIKE louder places, not quiet ones.Misophonics dislike all sounds. It is not simply some sounds, it is MOST sounds and that is an unusual issue and I have yes seen these in the clinic. Re introducing them to the world of sound is a pleasure and takes less time than one might think. The 4S patient does not recover over time, in my professional opinion, but they do learn to 'deal with' their issues and accordingly structure their lives, relationships, children, friends, and much more, often quite successfully! 4S patients are often very bright smart people who figure out even when young how to 'handle' this issue and how best to get along. Most of them manage to succeed and even thrive, and one aspect is they are often empathetic towards others (some go into medicine or health careers).I hope this helps. Good luck with your own website.Dr. JLooking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft’s powerful SPAM protection. Sign up now.

[Guest guest]

Hi sonya, you've done me a favour reminding me that the overwhelming guilt I feel when suffering through a trigger can be overcome by JUST asking people to stop....while thinking of myself. If we all ask people to stop, that's one way to spread the word about 4s!I spend a lot of time in the pool-great excercise, solo sport, and everything sounds better underwater!KipFrom the Mind of Gordon

 



Hi there Kip,

 

Thanks for the suggestion.  Let me affirm your right to go to your sanctuary--the gym to workout in peace--without the presence of chewing gum.  I have in the past expressed myself through suggestion boxes but like your approach better.  The only place I have seen a "no gum" sign is by a swimming pool.  I would imagine that if the gum got caught up in the filtering equipment it could cause a lot of damage.

 

When it comes to gum in the gyms I go to--there is no sacred place.   Yoga classes, restrooms, showers, locker room are not necessarily sanctuaries.  Some people actually use their gum chewing to keep a beat while they are exercising.

 

I certainly will consider approaching gym staff and asking about their policy.  Here is the thing--oftentimes they are chewing gum too!  IMHO it is absolutely boorish for the staff to be chewing gum!

 

What you point out about the choking risk is very real.  My nephew turned blue when he was very young after consuming of all things---a lifesaver!  When you are moving around at a gym--I would imagine the risk of choking increases.

 

It is good to be reminded that when we make requests for others to behave themselves that helps us and others who have the same grievance.  I now make such requests frequently.  It gets easier with practice.

 

All the Best!

 

Sonya

 

 

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of GordonSent: Friday, March 26, 2010 12:26 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Re: New 4S misophonia website 

I use the gym to escape from gum chewing!! I go to an MMA gym plus the

local YMCA.

Whenever I hear or see someone snapping and popping that gum I freak out!  That's my sanctum!  Luckily gyms as not like schools(thankfully), and there are a couple great points for both the offender and (more importantly) the owner(s).

1.  If the gum escapes the chewers mouth, it will get all over the equipment, carpets, or mats, and gym owners hate that.

2.   If the chewer INHALES the gum, that person could choke and very easily expire, and who would get sued?  The gym!

Approach the gym manager or owner, and ask about the gum chewing policy

And present these points.  I've had to do this recently-the owner of the fighting gym I go to has a 19-year old who snaps gum like rifle shots.  I brought up the fact that not only us it a health hazard, but it's distracting and "this isn't the living room".  I don't kickbox in your space, so please don't put your bad personal habits on me!

Once he heard "choking hazard" daddy quickly outlawed gum, candy-food in general.  I'm on disability(not for 4s), so going to the gym has become my life.  I need that routine and stability, not triggers I could pick-up a dime -a-dozen at the mall.

Who works out and chews gum?  

Vent over,

Kip

From the Mind of Gordon

On 25-Mar-10, at 21:12, "Sonya Sidky" <sidkycharter (DOT) net> wrote:

 

Hmmm...Sonya here again...

 

I read your definition of misophonia more carefully...

 

I am far from afraid of all sounds.  That does not describe me at all.  I have developed a fear of certain sounds.  I.E chewing gum.  I am happy to report that I have recently had a breakthrough with that.  Last week I started attending a Bodypump class at the gym again after months of avoidance.   I have gone three times now.  Logically speaking I cannot hear the gum being chewed most of the class because the music is very loud (the louder the better as far as I am concerned).  I still react to the gum chewers around me with feelings of judgment and rage, but it is of much lower intensity than it was before and I enjoy most of the class.  Nevertheless, this is one 4ser who would be perfectly happy to see gum disappear of the face of the earth.  Another breakthrough I had recently was that I competed in a multiday backgammon tournament a couple of weeks ago.  I had been avoiding doing so for a couple of years for fear of getting trapped near a gum chewer.  In fact, I knew at this particular tournament they not only provided treats such as candies and cookies but they always made gum available.  I acted rather boldly during the course of the tournament.  I made several requests for people not to chew gum around me and at the beginning of one of the days, I relieved the baskets of all the gum.  I stuck a crap load of gum in my coat pocket which has a hole in it.  So now I have gum in the seams of my coat.  Occasionally I set myself off because I will notice the smell of gum and then I remember it is just me.  I have decided to continue to let my coat wreak of gum in order to desensitize myself from associating the smell of gum with the sound. 

 

 

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of Sonya SidkySent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 6:22 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: RE: Re: New 4S misophonia website 

Hello Dr. J,

 

Thank you for validating that 4S and misophonia are different conditions.   Indeed the distinction is not at all trivial.  I would love to participate in your survey because I have 4s and I have misophonia and yes, I have OCD also.  The OCD is not as prominent of a player as 4s and misophonia.  It is problematic to get a diagnosis of misophonia let alone 4s since neither is well understood.  In my humble opinion, I have misophonia as a result of 4S plus the perception that I was trapped by certain sounds.  I think it makes a lot of sense that someone who hates soft sounds such as gum chewing would develop a phobia of it given a certain set of environmental conditions.

 

I have made a great deal of progress in dealing with my OCD and even more recently in my misophonia.  As far as 4S goes, nothing has been successful in eliminating it totally, however I have made progress by eating a very clean diet.  I eat a vegetarian, mostly vegan high raw food diet and have done three Master Cleanses.  I feel like my senses in general have cleared up and that eating this type of diet has really made my nervous system work better.  To me, this would suggest that 4S is highly related to the nervous system.  I wish someone would study me and others like me and compare to people with 4S who eat a different type of diet.

 

As far as your five points below, #s 1,2, 4, and 5 describe my situation exactly.  I can very much tell the different between my 4S, OCD and misophonia experiences.  #3 is a little different for me because I remember seeing home video of me at age two or three where I was happy one minute and then suddenly I became distressed and I was hitting and pulling my ears.  This behavior carried out throughout my childhood and continued in a more hidden form as I got older.  

 

Again, I certainly would be willing to participate in your survey, but have held back since I do not have a diagnosis of either 4S or misophonia.  The only formal diagnosis I received was for OCD and the medications to treat it did not help any of my problems.

 

Thanks,

 

Sonya 

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of anthro_popSent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:41 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: New 4S misophonia website 

4S and Misophonia are not the same condition in my point of view. I have more experience than anyone else with regard to case study, data collection, personal interactions and evaluations, in my 12 years of clinical practice.This is not a trivial remark. There are clearly distinct differences between 4S and misophonia and I have been unable to locate many people who have been professionally diagnosed with misophonia despite repeated outreach attempts to collect data. Recently a poll survey I conducted captured less than 20 response, less than half of whom had actually been diagnosed with misophonia by a professional qualified medical provider. 4S has some very peculiar and distinct etiology. Here are the most common:1) dislike of only softer often nearly inaudible sounds, trigger sounds that are most often human-generated2) rarely any concern with louder sounds, actually many 4S sufferers love complex noisy places as this drowns out the trigger sounds3) onset most often pre-puberty, often sudden, often with a distinct memory or moment with onset of reaction that is clearly recalled4) resistence to improvement when using drug therapies for other similar conditions, i.e., OCD, phobias, etc. 4S seems nearly unresponsive to multiple medications or cognitive therapies5) strong indication of genetic component including immediate family members, family recollection of others in family with this same conditionWell, that is a bit of a simple list. For lack of a better word, I think many people with 4S have been mis-diagnosed with ADD or HD or OCD or hypersensitive or social difficulties etc etc and also been mis-labeled with misophonia.Cognitive therapy can help people with any serious physical or mental condition, learning to restructure your thinking or beliefs can make a huge difference in so many areas, but it does not appear to 'cure' or 'fix' 4S OR Misophonia. Period. It can help, yes, but those whom I have surveyed and followed over years of interaction have reported that the effects seem primarily placebo in effect and do not persist to any great degree of resolution. There may be exceptions.Misophonia therapy has been described as listening to pleasant music at increasing loudness in 3 week cycles. Dozens of people with 4S have tried this, to no avail. 4S does not respond to louder music as those with 4S LIKE louder places, not quiet ones.Misophonics dislike all sounds. It is not simply some sounds, it is MOST sounds and that is an unusual issue and I have yes seen these in the clinic. Re introducing them to the world of sound is a pleasure and takes less time than one might think. The 4S patient does not recover over time, in my professional opinion, but they do learn to 'deal with' their issues and accordingly structure their lives, relationships, children, friends, and much more, often quite successfully! 4S patients are often very bright smart people who figure out even when young how to 'handle' this issue and how best to get along. Most of them manage to succeed and even thrive, and one aspect is they are often empathetic towards others (some go into medicine or health careers).I hope this helps. Good luck with your own website.Dr. J

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[Guest guest]

Gum is...illegal in Singapore...I'll bet housing is affordable!  I didn't know this, but I have a new respect fir the lawmakers in that country, thanks for the info!From the Mind of Gordon

 

gum is illegal in Singapore!!To: Soundsensitivity From: sidkycharter (DOT) netDate: Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:36:53 -0500Subject: RE: Re: New 4S misophonia website

 



Hi there Kip,

 

Thanks for the suggestion.  Let me affirm your right to go to your sanctuary--the gym to workout in peace--without the presence of chewing gum.  I have in the past expressed myself through suggestion boxes but like your approach better.  The only place I have seen a "no gum" sign is by a swimming pool.  I would imagine that if the gum got caught up in the filtering equipment it could cause a lot of damage.

 

When it comes to gum in the gyms I go to--there is no sacred place.   Yoga classes, restrooms, showers, locker room are not necessarily sanctuaries.  Some people actually use their gum chewing to keep a beat while they are exercising.

 

I certainly will consider approaching gym staff and asking about their policy.  Here is the thing--oftentimes they are chewing gum too!  IMHO it is absolutely boorish for the staff to be chewing gum!

 

What you point out about the choking risk is very real.  My nephew turned blue when he was very young after consuming of all things---a lifesaver!  When you are moving around at a gym--I would imagine the risk of choking increases.

 

It is good to be reminded that when we make requests for others to behave themselves that helps us and others who have the same grievance.  I now make such requests frequently.  It gets easier with practice.

 

All the Best!

 

Sonya

 

 

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of GordonSent: Friday, March 26, 2010 12:26 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: Re: New 4S misophonia website 

I use the gym to escape from gum chewing!! I go to an MMA gym plus the

local YMCA.

Whenever I hear or see someone snapping and popping that gum I freak out!  That's my sanctum!  Luckily gyms as not like schools(thankfully), and there are a couple great points for both the offender and (more importantly) the owner(s).

1.  If the gum escapes the chewers mouth, it will get all over the equipment, carpets, or mats, and gym owners hate that.

2.   If the chewer INHALES the gum, that person could choke and very easily expire, and who would get sued?  The gym!

Approach the gym manager or owner, and ask about the gum chewing policy

And present these points.  I've had to do this recently-the owner of the fighting gym I go to has a 19-year old who snaps gum like rifle shots.  I brought up the fact that not only us it a health hazard, but it's distracting and "this isn't the living room".  I don't kickbox in your space, so please don't put your bad personal habits on me!

Once he heard "choking hazard" daddy quickly outlawed gum, candy-food in general.  I'm on disability(not for 4s), so going to the gym has become my life.  I need that routine and stability, not triggers I could pick-up a dime -a-dozen at the mall.

Who works out and chews gum?  

Vent over,

Kip

From the Mind of Gordon

On 25-Mar-10, at 21:12, "Sonya Sidky" <sidkycharter (DOT) net> wrote:

 

Hmmm...Sonya here again...

 

I read your definition of misophonia more carefully...

 

I am far from afraid of all sounds.  That does not describe me at all.  I have developed a fear of certain sounds.  I.E chewing gum.  I am happy to report that I have recently had a breakthrough with that.  Last week I started attending a Bodypump class at the gym again after months of avoidance.   I have gone three times now.  Logically speaking I cannot hear the gum being chewed most of the class because the music is very loud (the louder the better as far as I am concerned).  I still react to the gum chewers around me with feelings of judgment and rage, but it is of much lower intensity than it was before and I enjoy most of the class.  Nevertheless, this is one 4ser who would be perfectly happy to see gum disappear of the face of the earth.  Another breakthrough I had recently was that I competed in a multiday backgammon tournament a couple of weeks ago.  I had been avoiding doing so for a couple of years for fear of getting trapped near a gum chewer.  In fact, I knew at this particular tournament they not only provided treats such as candies and cookies but they always made gum available.  I acted rather boldly during the course of the tournament.  I made several requests for people not to chew gum around me and at the beginning of one of the days, I relieved the baskets of all the gum.  I stuck a crap load of gum in my coat pocket which has a hole in it.  So now I have gum in the seams of my coat.  Occasionally I set myself off because I will notice the smell of gum and then I remember it is just me.  I have decided to continue to let my coat wreak of gum in order to desensitize myself from associating the smell of gum with the sound. 

 

 

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of Sonya SidkySent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 6:22 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: RE: Re: New 4S misophonia website 

Hello Dr. J,

 

Thank you for validating that 4S and misophonia are different conditions.   Indeed the distinction is not at all trivial.  I would love to participate in your survey because I have 4s and I have misophonia and yes, I have OCD also.  The OCD is not as prominent of a player as 4s and misophonia.  It is problematic to get a diagnosis of misophonia let alone 4s since neither is well understood.  In my humble opinion, I have misophonia as a result of 4S plus the perception that I was trapped by certain sounds.  I think it makes a lot of sense that someone who hates soft sounds such as gum chewing would develop a phobia of it given a certain set of environmental conditions.

 

I have made a great deal of progress in dealing with my OCD and even more recently in my misophonia.  As far as 4S goes, nothing has been successful in eliminating it totally, however I have made progress by eating a very clean diet.  I eat a vegetarian, mostly vegan high raw food diet and have done three Master Cleanses.  I feel like my senses in general have cleared up and that eating this type of diet has really made my nervous system work better.  To me, this would suggest that 4S is highly related to the nervous system.  I wish someone would study me and others like me and compare to people with 4S who eat a different type of diet.

 

As far as your five points below, #s 1,2, 4, and 5 describe my situation exactly.  I can very much tell the different between my 4S, OCD and misophonia experiences.  #3 is a little different for me because I remember seeing home video of me at age two or three where I was happy one minute and then suddenly I became distressed and I was hitting and pulling my ears.  This behavior carried out throughout my childhood and continued in a more hidden form as I got older.  

 

Again, I certainly would be willing to participate in your survey, but have held back since I do not have a diagnosis of either 4S or misophonia.  The only formal diagnosis I received was for OCD and the medications to treat it did not help any of my problems.

 

Thanks,

 

Sonya 

 

 

 

-----Original Message-----From: Soundsensitivity [mailto:Soundsensitivity ]On Behalf Of anthro_popSent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 11:41 PMTo: Soundsensitivity Subject: Re: New 4S misophonia website 

4S and Misophonia are not the same condition in my point of view. I have more experience than anyone else with regard to case study, data collection, personal interactions and evaluations, in my 12 years of clinical practice.This is not a trivial remark. There are clearly distinct differences between 4S and misophonia and I have been unable to locate many people who have been professionally diagnosed with misophonia despite repeated outreach attempts to collect data. Recently a poll survey I conducted captured less than 20 response, less than half of whom had actually been diagnosed with misophonia by a professional qualified medical provider. 4S has some very peculiar and distinct etiology. Here are the most common:1) dislike of only softer often nearly inaudible sounds, trigger sounds that are most often human-generated2) rarely any concern with louder sounds, actually many 4S sufferers love complex noisy places as this drowns out the trigger sounds3) onset most often pre-puberty, often sudden, often with a distinct memory or moment with onset of reaction that is clearly recalled4) resistence to improvement when using drug therapies for other similar conditions, i.e., OCD, phobias, etc. 4S seems nearly unresponsive to multiple medications or cognitive therapies5) strong indication of genetic component including immediate family members, family recollection of others in family with this same conditionWell, that is a bit of a simple list. For lack of a better word, I think many people with 4S have been mis-diagnosed with ADD or HD or OCD or hypersensitive or social difficulties etc etc and also been mis-labeled with misophonia.Cognitive therapy can help people with any serious physical or mental condition, learning to restructure your thinking or beliefs can make a huge difference in so many areas, but it does not appear to 'cure' or 'fix' 4S OR Misophonia. Period. It can help, yes, but those whom I have surveyed and followed over years of interaction have reported that the effects seem primarily placebo in effect and do not persist to any great degree of resolution. There may be exceptions.Misophonia therapy has been described as listening to pleasant music at increasing loudness in 3 week cycles. Dozens of people with 4S have tried this, to no avail. 4S does not respond to louder music as those with 4S LIKE louder places, not quiet ones.Misophonics dislike all sounds. It is not simply some sounds, it is MOST sounds and that is an unusual issue and I have yes seen these in the clinic. Re introducing them to the world of sound is a pleasure and takes less time than one might think. The 4S patient does not recover over time, in my professional opinion, but they do learn to 'deal with' their issues and accordingly structure their lives, relationships, children, friends, and much more, often quite successfully! 4S patients are often very bright smart people who figure out even when young how to 'handle' this issue and how best to get along. Most of them manage to succeed and even thrive, and one aspect is they are often empathetic towards others (some go into medicine or health careers).I hope this helps. Good luck with your own website.Dr. J

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