As I sit on the couch, my partner is munching on a blackberry just inches away from me, and the noise is unbearable. I lean back, giving him a pointed glare, and he knows he better stop or face my wrath. He chuckles, takes a step closer, and crunches even louder, calling me dramatic. I flee the room, heart racing. Clearly, it’s him who should be worried about my reaction!
People often tell me I’m not the most “normal” person in various scenarios. For instance, when someone sneezes while I’m in the car, I roll down my window like I’m desperate for fresh air. A trip to Costco becomes unbearable when a person is dragging their feet across the concrete, making me feel nauseous. And don’t even get me started on movie theaters—if I’m stuck between noisy popcorn munchers, I have to change seats.
This time, though, my husband is right. I do have a problem, and I embrace it. It turns out, I have a genuine condition that’s been validated on national television! Kelly Ripa, the well-known talk show host, revealed that she suffers from misophonia. If she can talk about it openly, then it must be real, right? The term “misophonia” means “hatred of sound,” and it’s a neurological disorder where certain noises trigger intense feelings of anger or disgust.
When Kelly mentioned needing to leave the house when her husband eats a peach, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. For years, I believed I was alone in my struggles with annoying eaters. I couldn’t wait to share this revelation with my partner.
“Who?” he asked.
“Kelly Ripa! She’s a celebrity who has misophonia, just like me! She wants to punch her husband when he eats a peach—can you believe it?” I exclaimed.
I told him it’s a rare mental health condition, so maybe I am a bit “off.” “Isn’t this amazing?” I said, trying to convince him. But he just walked away, snacking on almonds, and I fantasized about a kitchen utensil coming into play.
Despite my plight, I’ve lived with this condition all my life. The sound of running water, clicking pens, nail clippers, and even humming can set me off. The list of irritating sounds is endless.
Recently, I found out I’m losing my hearing, which is oddly a blessing. At 44, wearing hearing aids is not a typical joy, but I’m relieved—I can simply turn them off when it gets too loud!
My sister also shares this sensitivity. If I want to annoy her, I just rustle a plastic bag over the phone, and she’s guaranteed to hang up on me in a fit of rage. I chuckle at the irony of my hearing aids and my crazy life.
As I glance at my daughter snoozing beside me, she whispers, “Mom, can you stop breathing so loudly?”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I completely understand,” I reply. “I’ll try to breathe more quietly. Or maybe not at all.”
In summary, misophonia can feel isolating, but it’s a real condition that affects many people. Recognizing it is the first step toward finding peace in a noisy world.
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