what is this little-known disorder, much more common than one would have imagined?

The crunching of nails on a blackboard makes most of us shiver. But for some people, much more ordinary noises can trigger equally intense reactions. This phenomenon, called misophonia, is more widespread than imagined. A study, carried out in the United Kingdom, published in PLOSone in 2023, sheds new light on this still poorly understood disorder.

Misophonia: much more than just an irritation

Misophonia is characterized by hypersensitivity to certain specific sounds. Sufferers may experience:

• intense irritation;
• anger;
• emotional distress;
• a feeling of helplessness.

These reactions can be triggered by noises as innocuous as:

• chewing;
• nasal wheezing;
• the purring of a computercomputer ;
• the tapping of fingers on a table.

Unlike a simple temporary annoyance, misophonia can significantly impact the quality of life of those affected. Jane Gregory, a clinical psychologist at the University of Oxford and co-author of the study, explains: “ Misophonia goes beyond simple irritation at certain sounds. It involves a feeling of entrapment, of helplessness when one cannot escape these noises, and can lead to missing opportunities because of this ».

A surprising prevalence

The study carried out by the team of British researchers revealed astonishing figures. According to their results, 18.4% of the UK population is affected by misophonia. This prevalence, much higher than previous estimates, raises many questions about the recognition and management of this disorder.

Dr Silia Vitoratou, psychometrician at King’s College of London, underlines a crucial point: “ Note that our study found that one in five people in the UK experience significant misophonic reactions, but only a small fraction were aware of the term “. As a result, less than 14% of participants were familiar with the concept of misophonia before the survey.

Beyond annoyance: the specificities of misophonia

The study highlighted lightlight two major differences between people suffering from misophonia and the general population:

1. The intensity of emotional reactions: Although some sounds, such as loud chewing, are generally perceived as unpleasant, people with misophonics report much more intense feelings of anger and panic.

2. Sensitivity to ordinary sounds: Noises such as normal breathing or swallowing, generally ignored by most people, can cause a strong reaction in misophonic individuals.

These particularities can lead to a real vicious circle. Sufferers often feel misunderstood, which can lead to feelings of shame, anxiety and sometimes even social isolation.

Towards better understanding and support

Recognition of misophonia as a disorder in its own right is crucial. Dr. Gregory emphasizes the importance of putting a name to this phenomenon: “ Discovering that you are not alone, that other people react in the same way to sounds, can be a real relief. Knowing that there is a word to describe what we are experiencing is liberating ».

The assessment tool developed by the researchers could prove valuable to clinicians. It would make it easier to identify people suffering from misophonia and to adapt treatment accordingly.

These discoveries open the way to new research perspectives. Scientists emphasize the need to deepen our understanding of this disorder, in particular to determine at what threshold misophonia truly becomes ” pathologicalpathological » in terms of distress, impact on daily life and need for treatment.