Seeking Therapist / Doctor for teen with Misophonia
My daughter, who is a junior in high school, struggles daily with Misophonia. She is triggered by noises such as yawning, chewing, etc. She can become highly distracted during class and especially during tests. I worry a lot also about when she goes off to college, particularly about having a roommate and paying attention in class and test taking. Unfortunately, I understand this all too well as I myself have suffered from Misophonia since I was a teen. Most people cannot understand how if impacts those who suffer from it because it is not widely known about.
-Has anyone found any home remedies that help? (We have tried them all I believe. She is unable to use earplugs or headphones due to a problem with her ears.)
-Has anyone found a therapist or doctor who has helped with this?
-Has anyone had their child get a diagnosis that has given them accommodations at high school or college that has helped with classes, test taking, or roommates/dorm living?
Thanks so much!
Parent Replies
I hope you get some good replies for this. That must be very difficult. There is a group practice called Child's Play in Lafayette that does sensory evaluations for kids and adolescents. I think they would be good to call. They also do sensory therapy. They might be able to provide sufficient material for accommodations, or could point you towards an evaluator that can do that. I know that they also work with more comprehensive evaluators. Good luck!
My 14 year old daughter also struggles with Misophonia daily with primary triggers being eating noises, crunching, and paper crinkling. She can tolerate headphones or ear defenders very occasionally but we have resorted to avoiding triggers and accommodating her needs as the primary approach so far. It's a work in progress and one we haven't solved yet. I have heard some who have experienced it say that exposure therapies are more traumatizing than helpful. We haven't tried cognitive therapy yet. I don't know much about the Misophonia Association but they are having an online convention in a few weeks and may be a source for other management options. Good luck!
I have struggled with Misophonia my whole life (now 60 years old), and have only just recently learned of the name for it. It is so great to hear to parents are now aware of it too. The information about a Misophonia Association is welcome news for me, too. And what the other family said about accommodating at home to their child's sensitivities is heartwarming, and can only be done when understood that is a neurocognitive issue, and not just "an over-sensitivity" to "get over". All the best to your daughter.