This is the #53 edition of our My Misophonia Story series. This week features Hailee (14) from the USA. Each week we’ll feature a new reader story, so if you’d like to share yours, please drop us a line. Hailee, take it away…
Where are you from?
New England
What do you do for a living?
I am a student 🙂
What are you passionate about / what are your hobbies?
I used to really like gymnastics, but I now really like video editing and photography.
How old were you when you first realised you had an issue with certain sounds?
I’m not sure the exact age, around 10 or 11.
When did you first find out it was called misophonia?
I found out summer of 2018.
What are your 3 biggest triggers? [bg_collapse view=”link” color=”#eb9500″ icon=”arrow” expand_text=”Click to Show Triggers” collapse_text=”Click to Hide Triggers” ]When people tap with their feet, especially in class
Pen clicking/pencil tapping
Chewing
Pretty much any repetitive noise
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Do you have any other sensory quirks?
When people chew, even when I can’t hear it. It drives me crazy! other than that I can’t think of any at the moment.
Have you told other people about your misophonia and if so what was their reaction?
Yes! My family knows and get annoyed by it, it’s really hard especially at family dinners when I need to leave they think I’m ridiculous. My teachers are super supportive (luckily!) I also recently told my class about the disorder and why these sounds effect me and now they are supportive and trying to stop making them to help me, before they thought i was just annoying.
What’s your funniest/most ridiculous misophonia-related moment?
Okay, so I used to not know how to deal with it, like at all, so in long car rides, my dad would chew so loud and I would let my anger build up until i couldn’t take it. (I have learned how to deal with it way better since then) this one certain time I let it build up for too long, I thought I was going to say “hey, could you please chew quieter” however as you can guess, that definitely did not happen… I started to yell and cry for him to stop and the worst thing was I didn’t even realize I was doing that! I was literally screaming at him while I thought I was being polite… well that was one interesting car ride… sorry dad!
What helps you to cope with your misophonia?
Currently I don’t have many coping strategies, however with chewing I learned that mimicking is useful, so if someone else is chewing gum, I will chew gum and that way it almost blocks out the noise, I also learned to focus on other things besides chewing which is hard but I learned how!
Another thing I do is just stepping out of the room which is very useful to just take a breather and then when I get back in the room kindly tell them what’s going on, having some sort of “plan” for when it gets bad is very useful to have when a student. Fidgets are helpful too!
What are your misophonic superpowers?
Misophonia has really helped me become more patient and aware to things around me. I also feel like with misophonia I am able to help people more when upset or stressed because I understand.
What’s the single most useful piece of misophonia related advice you’ve learnt?
That things pass! When these things happen it’s very helpful to know that it will end and will get better. also, you aren’t alone!
What’s your very best life hack?
Don’t eat moss. It doesn’t taste very good.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fellow misophones?
You can get through this! Of course in these moments it’s really hard to remember that it will be okay, also as you can see by this website you aren’t alone!
And finally! The quick fire round…
Favourite place you’ve visited:
Jamaica
Favourite song:
Moral of the Story – Ashe
Favourite book:
No Safety in Numbers – Dayna Lorentz
Favourite work of art:
I’m not sure!
5 things you couldn’t live without:
My phone
My dogs
Editing
My best friends
Oversized hoodies
Hi, all: I noticed recently a mention that there are only a small amount of males represented on this site, so I thought I would comment on my misophonia. I am in my 50s now, but first noticed this affliction around 10 or 11 years old. I have only one real trigger, and that is people rhythmically tapping their fingernails. My family were very cruel to me, tapping their nails just to upset me. When I finally became hysterical I was punished for “having a tantrum”. My dad tapped on the wall on one occasion for such a long time that I finally had a breakdown and kicked a hole in the wall! There is simply no way to explain the helpless rage that you feel when someone more powerful than yourself forcibly subjects you to the trigger sound just for sadistic pleasure! I am sure many of you understand…
It’s amazing how many people, upon learning of this affliction, immediately start making the trigger sound just to watch your reaction. People can be very cruel! I wish I had had this website to refer to during my growing up years; maybe some people could be brought to understanding.
My only advice on coping with this affliction is to get enough rest, take good care of your mental and physical health, and EXIT ASAP when the trigger starts. Unfortunately, it seems to get worse as I get older…is that the norm?
Best wishes to all of you fellow sufferers!
Hey, sandra here. I’m finding that it doesnt get worse as I age. I just seem to notice more noises and movements that upset me…possibly this is getting worse…,or simply I’m more aware? Either way it gets easier to respond to as you get older. I have more control now at 45 than I did at 25. So I guess it doesnt get worse…apologies im thinking as I write…