This is the #55 edition of our My Misophonia Story series. This week features Mark (51) from England. Each week we’ll feature a new reader story, so if you’d like to share yours, please drop us a line. Mark, take it away…
Where are you from?
Gillingham, Kent, UK
What do you do for a living?
Distribution manager
What are you passionate about / what are your hobbies?
Fishing
How old were you when you first realised you had an issue with certain sounds?
20
When did you first find out it was called misophonia?
Approx 1 year
What are your 3 biggest triggers?
Do you have any other sensory quirks?
No, just sounds.
Have you told other people about your misophonia and if so what was their reaction?
Family not sure if they believe me as I just get moaned at for being miserable
What’s your funniest/most ridiculous misophonia-related moment?
Haven’t, all are just bad moments
What helps you to cope with your misophonia?
I have to leave room or area before I lose my temper
What are your misophonic superpowers?
As far as I know I have none
What’s the single most useful piece of misophonia related advice you’ve learnt?
Haven’t as I find it lonely
What’s your very best life hack?
Don’t believe everything you hear, always find out for yourself
Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fellow misophones?
I don’t know if I’m alone but I feel alone
And finally! The quick fire round…
Favourite place you’ve visited:
Bovington tank museum
Favourite song:
Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
Favourite book:
Don’t like reading
Favourite work of art:
Unsure
5 things you couldn’t live without:
–
Thank you Tom for the info on a link with other disorders. My eldest son used to tell me I had Autism because of my use of headphones to escape sounds and also because of my reactions to some smells eg my reaction to spearmint is one of disgust. Yet some blends of essential oils are incredibly helpful for me to create my own space.
I completely understand how Mark says it makes you lonely. My family also label me grumpy and miserable Mark when actually I am quite jolly person and with a great sense of humour. Lockdown has made misophonia even more difficult for me but I’m working on my own safe measures to turn to. Please don’t feel alone Mark, you’re not.
Your not alone, I feel my head will explode if I hear someone whistling, chewing gum, crunching & humming.
We have a generator on nearby for building 1000’s new houses & it drives me crazy. day & evening – The environmental council tried to say I was going mad, it was my age & to contact my doctor for tablets or get checked for tinnitus! They tried to make out also that it was the HUM & too read up on it!!
My misophonia started approx age 8, but gradually got worse.
I haven’t slept through for 2 years now & I know its sounds ridiculous to some people but to me its ruining my life. My family too do not understand, even though they can hear the generator sometimes they tell me to “zone out”!
I don’t have autism and apart from misophonia I lead a normal healthy lifestyle.
Thank you for sharing – it helps to know we are not struggling alone.
Michele, I live out in a completely isolated little bush town in Australia. There is a home across the road, set in the bush but they run a generator and it drives me CRAAAZY!!! I totally get where you are coming from. Even though it can only be heard a little, I still cannot ignore it, due to my Misphonia. My husband does not have an issue with it but can hear it too. It can make you feel like you are overreactive and it feels so isolating.
Michelle, I have found silicone earplugs (from chemists or on Amazon) very helpful. I also visited Specsavers where the audiologist fitted some custom made earlugs for me (by Minerva) which are designed for sleeping in but I also wear them for short periods when necessary during the day. It might be worth trying them?
By the way, it does not sound ‘ridiculous’.