This is the #28 edition of our My Misophonia Story series. This week features Tim (37) from the USA. Each week we’ll feature a new reader story, so if you’d like to share yours, please drop us a line. Tim, take it away…
Where are you from?
Coweta, Oklahoma
What do you do for a living?
I am a lawn/ Bug Specialist for TruGreen.
What are you passionate about / what are your hobbies?
Spending time with family, playing PS4, playing with my pitbull.
How old were you when you first realised you had an issue with certain sounds?
I was pretty young at 12 when I first started noticing sounds that would send me into a full blown fight or flight feeling.
When did you first find out it was called misophonia?
I honestly hadn’t heard of it until a few years ago.
What are your 3 biggest triggers?
Silverware on teeth, people chewing anything, plastic wrappers.
Do you have any other sensory quirks?
Have you told other people about your misophonia and if so what was their reaction?
Most think its a joke but my family knows its a legit things that I do suffer with.
What’s your funniest/most ridiculous misophonia-related moment?
I once tried to work at a plastic factory and all day long it was a full blown trigger all shift long!
What helps you to cope with your misophonia?
Breathing deeply helps. Also tuning out to a tv or radio and ignore the trigger all together, touxhing my index finger to my thumb and make a circle pattern to focus on.
What are you misophonic superpowers?
I wish I had something here but I feel like my hearing is very sensitive because of my miso…
What’s the single most useful piece of misophonia related advice you’ve learnt?
Always breath deep and excuse yourself from the area if you can.
What’s your very best life hack?
Never let fear lead your way.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with your fellow misophones?
If you take anything from my answers I ask that please never let the fear of sound triggers keep you from living your life.
And finally! The quick fire round…
Favourite place you’ve visited:
Galveston Island
Favourite song:
Waking Lions – Pop Evil
Favourite book:
Seal Team Six – Howard E. Wasdin, Stephen Templin
Favourite work of art:
Anything my daughter paints
5 things you couldn’t live without:
Family, my wife, my kids, my dogs, my friends.
I would like to be interviewed
Hi Nate, no problem. Just drop me an email and I’ll send you over the questions.
May I also have the questions? I know I have Moisophonia , MisoKenisa and I dont know what. I think I have it all.
Hi Laura, of course you can. Just drop me a quick message (click on the contact page to see how) and I’ll send them through.
I don’t think leaving the area when you experience a trigger is helping. You need to over expose yourself to these triggers!!
Hi RJ, thanks for the comment. Studies suggest that misophonia is a neurological condition and that triggers are pre-conscious. Unfortunately there’s no evidence, to date, that repeated exposure helps/works.
Hi Tim, thank you for your coping tips, especially your statement that breathing helps. Very helpful reminder.