Misophonia and fears about being dismissed

I hear you @D1ng0, dealing with those noises can be really tough.

It's great that you're reaching out for support.

One thing you can try is using noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to block out those trigger sounds. Have you tried them?

It might also help to have an open conversation with those around you about your sensitivity to certain noises. Sometimes just letting people know can make a big difference.

If you're looking for more resources or support, you might want to check out SoQuiet.org. I found it online, so I'm not super familiar with it, but it seems like a reputable place to learn more about misophonia and connect with others who are going through similar experiences.

I hope other members with similar experiences can share their insights with you ❤️

@lavenderhaze Thanks for your support, I appreciate it! (Got a smile from "I hear you", too. I assume the pun was not intended, but thank you anyway 😁)

I do use earplugs when in public, for sure. It's a good way to cope I guess, but I'm getting worried about not being able to cope in many situations without earplugs.

I'm afraid of being judged if I tell people how bad it is, to be honest. Part of me feels like being super sensitive to typical noises is really silly, even though I know I didn't choose to feel this way. I'm worried about bringing it up to certain people, because they might just say I'm overreacting, which... Sure, my brain is overreacting, but I can't control it yet 😅 A few people in my life have a "just get over it" attitude towards mental health. So that's my concern.

Thank you for the website! I'll take a look at it.

An update, because this has brought up some realisations for me...

Trigger warning for stigma against mental illness, I suppose?

I feel ashamed, because I have so many mental illnesses/conditions going on. Some are diagnosed, some aren't. I'm diagnosed with anxiety, depression, bulimia nervosa, substance use disorder, and chronic pain. But also there's this sensitivity to noise which has no official diagnosis, a lifelong issue with obsessive compulsive behaviours that I haven't had a chance to explore with a practitioner, acquired neurodivergence that I'm still exploring with practitioners, etc.

I've got so much going on, and I've already had several people tell me to just deal with it all, and get over it. That is really making it difficult to feel like I can get support for this noise sensitivity. I'm not the only one in my family who probably has misophonia, but the family motto is "don't talk about it". And if I'm this overwhelmed by all of the conditions I've got going on, how can I expect anyone else to take me seriously? That's the insecurity I have about having multiple conditions.

I don't know if anyone else feels this odd "imposter syndrome" sorta mindset, when it comes to mental illnesses? After my experiences being misdiagnosed and mistreated on my chronic pain journey, I have a huge fear of being dismissed/ignored in all health matters.

I usually try to ignore how much noise affects me. I wear ear plugs in public, I play white noise to block out sounds when necessary, and I keep the anger bottled up. It's a daily thing, and I am just dealing with it, like everyone tells me to do. But it keeps getting harder and harder, as my other mental conditions get worse. So, I guess that's why I made this post. It'd be nice to know how other sufferers cope, but also how we all deal with being ignored or disbelieved.

Hey @D1ng0 ,

I can relate to the imposter syndrome. It wore me out! It's actually very tiring!

I found myself moving through day by day with a 'happy' front when really, I was dying inside. Hence, as soon as I got home, the meltdowns started.

I'm sorry things are tough for you @D1ng0 . I hope it gets better.

We care.

Cheers @tyme for letting me know that you've had a similar experience. It's awful. Of course, really sorry you've dealt with it too, but I'm glad to not be alone. That happy front really is a nasty cycle for me, right now.

Thanks for the well wishes... I'm still going to therapy, I'm working really hard on everything, so hopefully things will get better. I'm not aiming for much better though, not yet 😅 I think that could take a while... But I am having good days.

Anyway, I hope you have a good night. Cheers again.

I guess it's a learning. I think we slowly find out way through life. I reckon I was sick of just 'faking it'. @D1ng0 It takes a lot of energy to fake it.

I've come to the point where people like me for who I am. And often, I'm the one to turn people down because I don't feel like socialising.

Then again, I'm more than satisfied this way.

I guess it depends on what you like.

What do you want your life to ideally look like?

Hi @D1ng0 ,

I hope you don't mind me commenting on this older thread. I'm kinda new here and when I did a search for miso, this was the most recent post. I guess not too many people are struggling with it? I struggle with so many noises, but I'm just about broken right now. Next door's dog started barking at 1am and didn't stop until after 4. I tried everything I could to block it out but nothing worked. In the end I just stood in my backyard deliberately listening to it and just crying. I've never spoken to a psych about it. Given that I also struggle with depression, anxiety and panic disorder with agoraphobic tendencies - they're normally the focus. And mostly I cope. I hate that my house is always locked up, I feel like I can't open windows etc. And I know it will be harder to get through the day if I haven't slept, or have other stressors going on, but mostly I recognise the rage symptoms and try to get to some white or brown noise before I start smashing things.

I've found a few support pages through Facebook. They don't really offer and kind of help except that I've found it EXTREMELY beneficial to connect with people who truly understand. It's made me realise how much I unfairly judge myself. When I read posts like yours I feel such empathy and it hurts me to know others are in such pain. But for me? Well it's a bad personality trait and I'm just weak and overreacting. I'm trying to be kinder to myself.

Anyway, feel like I'm wasting my last weekend of the holidays by feeling burnt out, but I'll be kind today and hopefully get more than three hours sleep tonight.

Did you check out the page that lavender shared? Was there anything helpful there?

Hope you're keeping well and having a quiet day ❤️