Misophonia is characterized by a disproportionate emotional response to everyday noises, often human ones. Stevica Mrdja
DECRYPTION – According to a British study, about 20% of the population would experience a strong repulsion to certain sounds, such as the noise of lips or chewing.
« I live with earplugs permanently on me and when I am confronted with noises that make me suffer, I put them on as soon as possible. » « The sounds of mouth and breath get on my nerves immediately. » « I have an immense rage, I go crazy and I want to vomit (sometimes I vomit). It really disgusts me. » « I am very sad because it causes arguments with my relatives… » Testimonials posted on discussion forums on the internet describe it well: misophonia – literally, the hatred of sounds – can ruin life.
This disorder, identified and named less than fifteen years ago by an American scientist, is characterized by a disproportionate emotional response to everyday noises – most often of human origin. It is not yet very well known in France but would affect, according to a study published on March 22 in the journal Plos One 18% of Britons, with no difference between men and women, to the point of representing a « significant burden » in their life.
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