Misophonia Answers:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is misophonia real?
Yes. Misophonia is a very real, multi-sensory disorder.
Is misophonia genetic?
It is unclear. There is only one pilot study, which used 23andMe’s data, on this question. It shows some interesting genetic correlations with some mental health problems but is only based on one question about feeling rage when other chew, and the results are not considered definitive or final.
What is the misosphere?
The misosphere is the entire misophonia community and includes all people whose lives are affected by misophonia.
Is misophonia a mental illness?
Misophonia is considered a complex multi-sensory disorder which traverses the fields of audiology, neurobiology, psychology, and more.
Can’t people with misophonia just ignore the sound that bothers them?
No. This is like asking someone with an allergy to just ignore the thing they are allergic to.
What causes misophonia?
We aren’t sure what causes misophonia, yet.
Is misophonia a phobia?
Misophonia is not considered to be a phobia. Phobias are irrational fears of specific things or situations, while misophonia is a sensory disorder that causes strong dislike or negative emotional reaction to specific sounds, such as someone eating or breathing loudly. Misophonia is often described as a disorder that is a multi-sensory sensitivity and can be difficult to cope with in some cases.
Are misophonia and ADHD the same thing?
People with ADHD may experience sensory sensitivities, including misophonia, but they are two different conditions.