Misophonia Treatment
Misophonia is a condition in which certain everyday sounds trigger an immediate and intense emotional or physical reaction. Common trigger sounds may include chewing, breathing, sniffing, throat clearing, tapping, clicking, or other repetitive noises.
While many people without misophonia may find certain sounds mildly irritating or distracting, individuals with misophonia often experience a much stronger and more immediate reaction. Many report an intense urge to escape the sound, stop the person making the noise, block the sound out, or avoid situations where trigger sounds may occur.
Importantly, the reaction in misophonia is often more anger-based than anxiety-based. Individuals may experience intense irritation, anger, or rage in response to trigger sounds. Over time, avoidance can begin to significantly interfere with relationships, school, work, family life, and daily functioning. Many individuals with misophonia also report feeling ashamed, guilty, isolated, or misunderstood.
Traditional exposure approaches often do not work
Traditional treatment approaches have often relied heavily on exposure therapy, which involves repeated exposure to trigger sounds. This type of approach is commonly used in anxiety treatment because repeated exposure to a feared situation can help reduce fear over time.
Misophonia appears to be different. The emotional reaction is often rooted more in anger, irritation, disgust, or rage rather than fear. Repeated exposure to a sound that triggers anger does not lead to habituation. In some cases, it may actually strengthen the reaction by increasing frustration, resentment, dread, and sensitivity to the sound.
A newer approach to treatment
More recent work, including the approach developed by Jane Gregory, has contributed to a newer understanding of misophonia and how it may be treated more effectively.
Dr. Gregory’s approach draws more heavily from Inhibitory Learning Models. In this framework, treatment is not simply about repeated exposure to sounds. Instead, the goal is to help clients develop new learning and new emotional associations around trigger sounds.
For example, a client may gradually begin pairing a distressing sound with a favourite movie, music, or meal. Over time, this newer learning may begin to compete with the older emotional reaction connected to the sound.
Does treatment work?
Research on misophonia treatment is still relatively new and continues to evolve. However, early findings have been promising, particularly for treatment approaches that incorporate newer cognitive behavioural and inhibitory learning-based models.
Emerging research suggests that Dr. Gregory’s Inhibitory Learning Treatment approach helps reduce distress, avoidance behaviours, anger responses, anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and impairment in daily functioning.
While there is currently no known cure for misophonia, many individuals report that trigger sounds become less consuming, less distressing, and easier to manage over time.
The goal of treatment is not necessarily to eliminate all reactions to trigger sounds, but rather to help individuals feel less overwhelmed, less controlled by the reactions, and more able to engage in daily life.
Check with your doctor first
Because sound sensitivity can occur for different reasons, it can be helpful to first consult with a family doctor or audiologist to rule out hearing related or medical concerns that may overlap with misophonia symptoms.
Misophonia in Children and Teens
Misophonia often begins during childhood or adolescence. Children may become distressed during family meals, in classrooms, during car rides, or in situations where they feel unable to escape certain sounds.
Parents sometimes notice irritability, emotional outbursts, avoidance, withdrawal, conflict with siblings, or increasing rigidity around routines and environments.
Because children often feel confused or ashamed by their reactions, treatment may also involve helping parents and family members better understand misophonia and how to respond supportively without unintentionally reinforcing avoidance or escalating conflict.
Treatment at Willow Tree Psychology
At Willow Tree Psychology, treatment for Misophonia is individualized and collaborative. Treatment may draw from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), inhibitory learning approaches, emotion regulation strategies, and mindfulness-based approaches.
