General Sound Sensitivity

Hi!

Okay, to start with, I have generalized anxiety. I used to get irritated or overwhelmed occasionally with sounds. It was never triggered by specific sounds, and it didn't happen often at all. I assumed it was a kind of sensory overload based on my anxiety.

Nowadays, I'm medicated, and my anxiety is fairly low (for me). I moved back in with my parents (just graduated college in May) and I don't work the same hours as the rest of my family, so I'm home alone quite a bit. I usually have the TV on a low volume. Emotionally, I'm fine all day. Unfortunately, as soon as a member of my family comes home and starts talking to me, or turns on the TV, or even is cooking and I can hear metal spoons hitting pans and other kitchen sounds, I become really overwhelmed. It takes a lot for me not to cringe away from them. They get offended when I walk away because they're taking it personally (I do fine out in the world with sound, just not at home). I get really irritated and almost anxious (?) and all I can focus on is the sounds and how it's so loud and I can't think.

I tried Googling, but all I could find was misophonia. My reactions seem to match, but misophonia seemed to have specific triggers. I haven't discovered any specific triggers, just sound in general. Any idea what's wrong with me or how I can start functioning better?

I'm no expert, but I wonder if subconsciously you're annoyed at sharing your living space with your family. Did you live by yourself before? It can be quite an adjustment to live with other people again.

I lived with 1 or more roommates every year at school. I'm not sure it's just because I'm living with people, but I admit my family stresses me out. I did try to express my issues with this originally, but my family got defensive and just said that everyone has to deal with sound so I should get over it. I try not to complain about it, and they like to spend time with me when they get home from work. It just seems like everything they do is so loud. I think that I've been coming around emotionally to living with them (I was very not-happy originally), but the sound thing is also getting worse. Maybe I'm subconsciously repressing? But then I don't know how to fix it really.

Those who you live with are probably noisy people by nature.

Could you possibly have a sensory processing disorder? Might be worth checking out with your Dr or treatment team.

I hadn't even thought of that, but I will definitely look into it. Thank you for the suggestion!

It is possible you are experiencing misophonia or even hyperacusis. Or, they may just be annoying you a lot.

I don't have an answer, because I thought it was just me! I can't stand loud noise, clattering, loud restaurants, general chaos, visual chaos and especially metal rubbing metal, etc. Had never heard of misophonia and hyperacusis. How did I live for over 60 years and keep it to myself and I never told anyone! LOL ! Thanks OnWingTips314 for posting this. I would attach an emoji but can't figure out how!

If they were so unsympathetic when you explained to them how you feel, and told you to "get over it," that lack of respect could be at least part of the issue. A home is supposed to be a place where you can relax and feel safe. You said you're okay with sounds out in the world, so it doesn't sound like ASD or anything along that line. Do you also have reactions when you hear people chewing and such? That could suggest misophonia. You might consider talking to a doctor about it.

To do the emojis, reply through the orange"reply" button at the bottom of the thread rather than clicking on quick reply in the posted text box, or at the bottom where the open text box is that says "quick reply." Those won't let you do emojis.

And it isn't just you, Mary. These reactions are a lot more common than many people realize. And just the thought of the sound of metal rubbing metal... eech...