Do you find these everyday sounds unbearable? You could have this common disorder

Chewing, crunching, pen-clicking, coughing, loud breathing, and slurping - how do these sounds make you feel?  

For some people, these everyday sounds can trigger overwhelming feelings of anger, anxiety, or disgust. It's a condition called misophonia, which translates to "hatred of sound" and it's more common than you might think! 

According to a recent study from King’s College London and Oxford University, about 20% of people have misophonia symptoms. That's a lot of people! But many of them may not realise they have the condition. 

So, what triggers misophonia? Well, it varies from person to person. For some, it's the sound of snoring or loud swallowing. For others, it's the noise of crisps crunching or vacuuming. And some people even get triggered by the almost-imperceptible buzz of an electric light or the tap of a keyboard. 

Now, don't get us wrong - being irritated by someone chewing with their mouth open or snoring loudly is perfectly normal. But for people with misophonia, it can be a deal-breaker. It can make daily life miserable and ruin relationships. Imagine not being able to tolerate your partner's breathing - that's tough! 

Until recently, misophonia wasn't even given a name. It took years for medical professionals to start taking it seriously. But now, researchers are starting to understand more about the condition. 

According to Dr Silia Vitoratou, a senior lecturer at King’s College London, some people's brains are simply wired differently. But early life experiences could also play a role in the intensity of the emotional response.  

“It’s a very complex condition,” says Dr Silia Vitoratou who is the lead author of the new study about the condition. 

But the good news is that there are treatments available. While there's not enough evidence to recommend any one particular treatment, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has shown some benefits. And for some people, just being aware of the condition can be helpful. 

So, if you have misophonia, know that you're not alone! And if you know someone who has it, try to be understanding. They're not being difficult on purpose - it's just the way their brain reacts to certain sounds. And who knows, you might even have it yourself without realising it!