Misophonia and Me: Dealing with Misophonia Using Herbs
Molly Sams
Essential Herbal May/June '16
Molly Sams
Essential Herbal May/June '16
Misophonia is a real mental disorder that can cause
discomfort, isolation, anger, rage, and even pain when hearing the sound of
chewing, lip smacking, pen clicking, or other repetitive sounds caused by
humans. For years I thought I was the only person in the world with this issue
and would feel terrible when I would have to leave the room when a family
member was eating carrots or plug my ears so I could watch a movie while
someone typed on their keyboard. I thought I would have to deal with this
forever by myself. Then one day my mother found a definition for it and I was
as relieved as I am every time I find my favorite ear buds in my purse.
Unfortunately, little research has been done to help treat those
living with misophonia but I found plenty of ways to cope. If you or your loved
one has this disorder, herbs can be incredibly beneficial and may even halt a
panic attack in its tracks.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy works wonders when someone with misophonia is
being triggered. My mother gave me a little black cat doll filled with lavender
to take to school with me when I was little. Anytime the teacher cracked her
gum or a fellow student had the sniffles I would reach for my lavender-scented
friend and take deep, calming breaths. I cannot suggest this idea enough to
parents that have children with misophonia. They will never want to leave home
without it and it will help them learn to deal with their triggers in a healthy
and manageable way.
If you’re an adult and cannot bring a stuffed animal to a
meeting or presentation, you still can have the benefits of aromatherapy right
under your nose. In the winter I often wear a scarf. Before leaving home every day
I will usually spritz my scarf with our lavender spritz or liquid smudge. If
someone next to me in line is humming or tapping their feet I can discretely
lift the scarf over my nose and inhale slowly.
During the spring and summer I will often spritz the pages
of my current notebook with similar scents. That way I can begin writing or
doodling and inhale the fresh, calming scents without looking like I am huffing
a book.
Teas and Tinctures
If Tulsi is a little too herbie tasting you may enjoy lemon
balm. It has a gentle citrus taste and has been used for years to combat SAD
(seasonal affective disorder). Though it is mainly taken for SAD I will drink
it hot or cold to help me calm down and readjust my focus away from the sound
that is distracting me.
It may seem counter-intuitive but I will also sip coffee a
lot of the time I’m trying to manage my symptoms. Unlike the herbs mentioned
above this plant is loaded with caffeine (as you already know). While it is
good to calm down and get out of your head when you are dealing with symptoms,
you do not want to lose energy or momentum. Having a cup of coffee will allow
you to escape the noise and stay focused on the task at hand.
Herb Sachet (or heck, a blanket)
While researching for this article I learned one way people
with misophonia manage symptoms is through physical pressure. By using pressure
on their forehead, chest, or other parts of their body they are able to calm
down and get through their day. Parents with children of misophonia have even
created pressure blankets filled with sand or small pebbles to help their child
feel grounded and calm. I found this absolutely fascinating and wondered how to
incorporate it with herbs. While I have yet to create a blanket I have begun to
use rice packs filled with lemon verbena and lavender to place on my forehead
or temples. I have also begun using warm tea poultices on my eyes to create a
comforting meditation. I have found it works really well for me and does create
a sort of grounding feeling when your mind is flying every which way to try to
stop the noise.
Spontaneous Garden Tour
Some people call it going for a walk but I enjoy running
around town looking at everyone’s front gardens. It is calming, gets me out of
my head, and you may find a new plant you absolutely need. During many walks
around town I see beautiful natives and new interesting plants that I take
pictures of or look up while I’m walking. It is a great learning opportunity
and I end my walk calm and fulfilled.
To those reading this because they have misophonia, it’ll be
ok. To those who love someone with misophonia, thank you so much for your
undying patience and love. And for those learning about this for the first
time, thank you for taking the time to understand.
Sources:
6 comments:
Never heard of it and I'm fascinated. Thank you for a great post
Hey Molly, I don'rt have misophonia (though sometimes sounds can drive me crazy), but I do have chronic anxiety. Your suggestions actually sound marvelous for anxiety as well, and I am going to try them. Thanks you so much for this article--for the education and the suggestions.
Thank you for your article. I love my Dad, but he has smacked while eating and often hours after eating since my childhood. I swear he does it on purpose some times. It just makes no sense to me. I can actually handle a once in a while smacking sound when someone opens their mouth to put food on it, albeit it still triggers slightly. It's the slow motion thick sounding smack-smack-smacking that I just can't take. It is the strongest level of rage I have ever felt in my life.
I am known as a calm, rational and flexible person but I have dealt with horrible, visceral reactions to chewing, tapping, even someone rubbing their sock-covered feet together, since I was young. It contributed to me "running away from home" when I was in junior high (for 1 night :), smoking, and quitting a college class (rampant gum-chewing). I cannot believe how angry I feel when these noises happen - rage is the only word that makes sense. I want to throw things, hit things, swear, leave, you name it. The sound of a dripping faucet is merely an annoyance, but these human-made sounds can unravel me in moments. I was searching for earplugs (again! since the foam ones that I have are almost impossible to get in properly) when I came across this site. Misophonia is so real. I am anxious to try the essential oils, etc., that others have found beneficial. Good luck, everyone, who deals with this issue. Family and friends of misophonics - this is so real!
Today i discovered that i have misophonia! Last week and some other time when my boyfriend yelled at me i became so angry that i wanted to strangled him! Of course i did not! Same for car sounds, when someone call my name loudly, when childrens are screaming and others. I always thought that my ears could hear better than some people, but when it turnsed to an anger that affects my life i did some research and i sure have misophonia �� not cool for my parents because they are calling my name 5 times a day and i get very mad ��
Thank you for this article! My 12 year old son suffers from anxiety and misophonia. We're in between meds and it has gotten worse and I will be trying your remedies.
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