Maybe it’s you or someone you know, who gets really angry from eating sounds such as drinking, chewing or slurping soup. Some people could also be annoyed by other voices such as heavy breathing and chewing gum. If you feel that you have anger issues whenever you react to these sounds, reassure yourself; this might be a sign that you are a smart person.
There is a scientific reason behind why some sounds can make you angry. The name of this phenomenon is misophonia. This brain abnormality makes your brain hate sounds such as loud breathing, eating, swallowing water, chewing or even pen clicking.
The term misophonia was coined in 2001, by researchers as the medical community still doubts the legitimacy of this condition.
It is good to notice that misophonia is not found in every individual, but could be common somehow. In a study that examined MRI brain scans for people with and others without misophonia, the results were agreeable. In the study some sounds were played in the background, ranging from natural sounds (water boiling, rain, etc.) to unpleasant ones (screaming, and a baby crying), to trigger sounds like breathing, chewing, and eating sounds. In the results, the researchers found that in the MRI of people with misophonia, there was a change in brain activity whenever unpleasant sounds were played. In conclusion, the researchers found that people’s brains with misophonia have a developmental difference in the frontal lobe. This causes their brains to have a harsh reaction to these triggering sounds. It also makes their heart rates increase and their bodies sweat.
This phenomenon is considered to be common and real despite what the medical community still thinks.
To better get to know misophonia, here are some fun facts you would like to know about:
1- MISOPHONIA CAN TRIGGER A PHYSICAL RESPONSE
People with misophonia could feel pain or tightness in their chest, sweating, or increase in heart rate whenever they hear unpleasant voices such as someone eating crackers.
2- 5 TYPES OF SOUNDS TRIGGER MISOPHONIA
These sounds include vocal noises, mouth sounds, body movements, breathing noises, and finally miscellaneous noises.
3- MISOPHONIA AFFECTS GIRLS MORE THAN BOYS
While misophonia affects both girls and boys, girls are more prone to have misophonia. However, there are no clear reasons why it is so.
4- IT IS NOT A TYPE OF PHOBIA
Many people would confuse misophonia with phobias, however, it is not. It is just a simple phenomenon where people dislike certain sounds and are disturbed by them.
5- IT COULD BE ROOTED IN ANXIETY OR STRESS
Some experts’ theories conclude that misophonia could be rooted in anxiety or even stress. If this is the case for someone, then there is therapeutic treatment available for them.
6- IT CAN BE CONNECTED TO SOME PAST MEMORIES
A research found that in many cases of people with misophonia, the trigger was a sound that came from participants' past or even childhood.
