Stephen Geller Katz LCSW-R
Misophonia Cognitive Retraining Therapy
Misophonia Cognitive Retraining Therapy, as featured on the MTV True Life episode: “I Have Misophonia” premiering Friday, December 16th, 7:00 PM EST. See Clip >
Are you Suffering from any of these symptoms as a result of Misophonia? Call today for a Consultation.
|
|
|
| Moderate to severe anxiety triggered by chewing sounds, including: | ||
|
|
|
You may also be affected by visual stimuli, such as repetitive foot or body movements, fidgeting or movement you observe out of the corners of their eyes. Intense anxiety, rage and avoidant behavior may develop as a result of misophonia.
* Do you feel your family and friends don’t understand how much you suffer?
* Do you often feel you can just suffer through a social event where there is eating present only to find that you must “escape” before you have a panic attack?
* Do you find that some people are at first understanding and make some efforts not to make the triggering sounds in front of you, but soon forget and constantly have to be reminded, causing you to feel angry, anxious and depressed?
* Are you avoiding social activities that you enjoy because of the misophonia?
* Are you fearful of losing your job and/or is the misophonia effecting your job performance?
If you answered yes to 3 or more of these questions or symptoms, then we can help.
You may be a candidate for Misophonia Cognitive Retraining Therapy, or MCRT.
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW-R, with over 20 years of clinical experience, a New York University graduate, developed Misophonia Cognitive Retraining Therapy and founded Misophonia Cognitive Center™ in response to the growing number of people with Misophonia coming to his private practice from audiologists and ENTs. He discovered that by helping people to retrain and reinterpret the thoughts around their Misophonia, anxiety and depression symptoms began to improve. But even more important so did the Misophonic trigger response.
Call us at 646-585-2251 for a consultation.
Category Archives: Misophonia & Psychology
The Connection Between Misophonia, Anxiety, and Depression
The connection between misophonia, anxiety, and depression is a critical area of understanding for individuals affected by this sound sensitivity disorder. Misophonia—a condition where certain everyday sounds trigger intense emotional responses such as anger, panic, or disgust—can lead to chronic stress and avoidance behaviors. Over time, these symptoms can evolve into more severe psychological conditions, including anxiety disorders and depression.
In this blog, we’ll explore how misophonia is linked to anxiety and depression, how these conditions influence one another, and what treatment strategies are available to break the cycle.
Understanding the Emotional Toll of Misophonia
Misophonia doesn’t simply cause irritation or annoyance; it often results in powerful emotional and physical responses. People with misophonia may experience a “fight or flight” reaction when exposed to trigger sounds such as chewing, breathing, or tapping. Over time, the daily stress of anticipating or avoiding these sounds can wear down a person’s mental health.
- Emotional exhaustion: Constant vigilance and stress over triggers can lead to burnout.
- Social withdrawal: Many sufferers avoid gatherings, work settings, or even family meals to escape triggering environments.
- Frustration and helplessness: The lack of public awareness and understanding can make individuals feel isolated or misunderstood.
These emotional consequences are often precursors to anxiety and depression, especially when misophonia is left untreated.
Misophonia and Anxiety: A Vicious Cycle
Anxiety and misophonia are closely intertwined. For many individuals, the fear of encountering trigger sounds leads to chronic anxiety. This fear can manifest as:
- Anticipatory anxiety before entering social or noisy environments
- Panic attacks during exposure to specific sounds
- Hypervigilance and over-preparation to avoid certain situations
The constant pressure of avoiding triggers creates a cycle of anxiety: the more a person fears and avoids certain sounds, the more intense the reaction becomes when those sounds are eventually heard.
How Depression Develops from Misophonia
Depression often follows prolonged misophonia-related stress. The condition can make individuals feel hopeless, frustrated, or even ashamed. Social isolation, reduced participation in daily activities, and strained relationships can contribute to feelings of sadness and worthlessness.
Signs that misophonia may be contributing to depression include:
- Persistent low mood or irritability
- Lack of motivation or energy
- Withdrawal from social situations or loved ones
- Feelings of guilt or being a burden due to sound sensitivities
In some cases, the depression may become more debilitating than the misophonia itself, which is why early intervention is essential.
Integrated Treatment for Misophonia, Anxiety, and Depression
Addressing all three conditions together offers the best path to relief. Treatments that can help include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals identify and reframe the negative thought patterns fueling misophonia and associated anxiety/depression.
- Misophonia Cognitive Retraining Therapy (MCRT): A targeted therapy that reduces the emotional reactivity to specific sounds through sound desensitization and cognitive restructuring.
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction: Teaches individuals to observe reactions without judgment, which can reduce anxiety and improve mood regulation.
- Lifestyle strategies: Regular exercise, sleep hygiene, and dietary improvements can support overall mental health.
It’s important to work with a therapist familiar with misophonia who can create an integrated treatment plan tailored to your symptoms and experiences.
Support is Available from the Misophonia Cognitive Center™
Stephen Geller Katz, LCSW, of the Misophonia Cognitive Center™, specializes in treating misophonia and its mental health effects using evidence-based, individualized strategies. With decades of clinical experience, Dr. Katz offers online sessions so that treatment is available no matter where you live. He also speaks five languages, helping clients from diverse backgrounds find meaningful support.
If you are experiencing misophonia along with symptoms of anxiety or depression, know that you’re not alone—and that effective help is available.
Contact Information
MISOPHONIA COGNITIVE CENTER™
Stephen Geller Katz LCSW-R
19 West 34th Street
Penthouse Floor
New York, NY 10001
646-585-2251
Misophonia and Psychology
Misophonia is a psychology related disorder in which individuals experience abnormally negative and strong reactions to familiar sounds made by humans. Common sounds that trigger people suffering from this condition include breathing or chewing. While getting irritated by regular, everyday sounds is not unusual, people with this condition often have angry reactions, making them want to hit out or scream.
Such emotional and physical reactions are similar to the fight or flight responses that cause people to feel rage, panic, or anxiety.
Misophonia Facts You May Not Know About
Here is a list of some uncommon misophonia facts you may not be aware of;
- This health order was identified fairly recently, and there are limited treatment options for it
- Sometimes, an individual’s reaction to triggering sounds can be so intense that it can interfere with their daily life
- Not every sound is an issue for people suffering from sound sensitivity
Is Misophonia a Psychological Condition?
People with this condition often have an intense hatred for certain sounds. Experts often characterize it as sensitivity to repetitive activities like snorting, chewing, coughing, sniffing, etc., resulting in anger, disgust, and irritation, negatively impacting everyday life. The precise nature of this disorder has been quite perplexing for clinicians as they are still determining whether it is a physical or psychological disorder.
Most experts believe that misophonia is partly a physical and psychological problem, but there isn’t enough evidence to support these claims. Therefore, the treatments for the condition exist in many forms, i.e., some addressing psychological and some physical problems.
Is Misophonia Treatable?
So far, there aren’t any particular treatments or medications for treating misophonia. Some unconsciously mimic the sounds they find offensive as it helps them handle uncomfortable scenarios. Moreover, people with misophonia often create coping mechanisms to find relief.
Here are some tips for dealing with misophonia at home:
- Using music and headphones to drown out noises
- Limiting noise reduction with the help of earplugs
- Practicing meditation, relaxation, and self care to reduce stress
- Avoiding any situation or place that has triggering sounds
- Seeking therapy
- Talking to family members or friends
Misophonia Symptoms to Keep in Mind
Extreme reactions are arguably the most common misophonia characteristic to keep in mind. People with this condition often have aggressive or angry reactions to triggering sounds. The reaction’s severity and how people respond to certain sounds tend to vary greatly. While some individuals may experience irritation and annoyance, others may seethe with rage.
Both women and men develop this condition at young or old ages. Usually, however, people start exhibiting symptoms early in the latter part of their childhood or teen years. It is also worth keeping in mind that the initial misophonia episodes in most people happen because of one particular sound. Over time, however, they become sensitive to other sounds too.
In some cases, the intensity of the reactions becomes so severe that people start believing they don’t have control over their minds. Mentioned below are some telltale signs of misophonia symptoms:
- Becoming irritated, followed by severe anger
- Getting disgusted, followed by extreme anger
- Becoming physically or verbally aggressive towards the individual making noise
- Lashing out physically or verbally
Misophonia and Psychology: Final Thoughts
It must be abundantly clear that misophonia can severely hinder the sufferer’s everyday life. That’s why it is vital to seek help without wasting time. Stephen Katz at the Misophonia Treatment Center™ can help you.
Once you contact us to book an appointment, we will analyze your condition and suggest an effective solution.
Stephen Geller Katz LCSW-R
646-585-2251
Tele-Video Sessions
Speaks 5 languages
International Patients Welcome