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.
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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 Resources
Personal Stories: Living with Misophonia
Personal stories living with misophonia. This condition is characterized by strong emotional reactions to specific sounds, affects many individuals in profound ways. These reactions can range from irritation to intense anger or panic. Understanding the personal experiences of those living with misophonia can provide valuable insights into the condition and highlight the importance of seeking effective treatment.
Understanding Misophonia
Misophonia, literally meaning “hatred of sound,” involves adverse reactions to certain auditory triggers, such as chewing, tapping, or breathing. These triggers can lead to intense emotional responses, including anger, anxiety, and the need to escape the situation. For those with misophonia, everyday activities can become overwhelming challenges.
Real-Life Experiences
Sarah’s Story
Sarah, a 29-year-old marketing professional, first noticed her misophonia symptoms in her teenage years. The sound of her classmates tapping pencils on their desks during exams would send her into a rage. Over time, these triggers expanded to include sounds like chewing and sniffling. Sarah describes her experience as feeling trapped in a cycle of frustration and helplessness. Despite her attempts to avoid these triggers, they seemed to be everywhere.
“Living with misophonia is like being constantly on edge,” Sarah explains. “You never know when a trigger sound will occur, and it feels like you’re always on high alert, ready to explode at any moment.”
John’s Journey
John, a 45-year-old software engineer, experienced a significant impact on his social life due to misophonia. The sound of people eating or talking loudly in restaurants became unbearable, leading him to avoid social gatherings altogether. This isolation took a toll on his mental health and relationships.
“I used to enjoy going out with friends and family, but misophonia changed all that,” John says. “I felt isolated and misunderstood because people didn’t realize how severe my reactions were. It wasn’t just being annoyed by sounds—it was an intense, uncontrollable rage.”
Coping Mechanisms and Treatment
Living with misophonia requires developing coping strategies to manage reactions and improve quality of life. Some common techniques include:
- Avoidance: Many individuals with misophonia avoid situations where trigger sounds are likely to occur. While this can provide temporary relief, it often leads to social isolation.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones: Using noise-canceling headphones or earplugs can help block out trigger sounds and reduce anxiety in public places.
However, these strategies are not always sufficient, and professional treatment is often necessary. Stephen Katz, LCSW, at the Misophonia Cognitive Center™, offers specialized online treatment for misophonia. His approach combines cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic techniques to help patients manage their reactions to trigger sounds and improve their overall well-being.
Dr. Katz emphasizes the importance of understanding misophonia from a cognitive perspective. “Misophonia is not just about the sounds; it’s about the individual’s emotional and psychological response to those sounds,” he explains. “Through therapy, we work on altering these responses and developing healthier coping mechanisms.”
Personal Stories Living with Misophonia: Conclusion
Living with misophonia can be incredibly challenging, affecting various aspects of life, from social interactions to mental health. Personal stories like those of Sarah and John highlight the need for greater awareness and effective treatment options.
If you or a loved one are struggling with misophonia, seeking professional help can make a significant difference. Dr. Stephen Katz at the Misophonia Cognitive Center™ offers convenient online sessions and a compassionate approach to managing this condition.
MISOPHONIA COGNITIVE CENTER™
Stephen Geller Katz LCSW-R
19 West 34th Street
Penthouse Floor
New York, NY 10001
646-585-2251
Convenient online sessions
Dr. Katz is multi-lingual
For more information about Dr. Katz and his treatment services, visit https://www.misophoniacognitivecenter.com/.
Biggest Online Misophonia Discussion Forums & Resources
What are some of the largest online misophonia discussion forums? Misophonia is a Greek word that means hatred of sounds and it creates great distress for various people. People with misophonia cannot process certain sounds and noises such as pen clicking, foot-tapping, and clock ticking. As a result, they respond to the sound with anger and irritation. People often misunderstand their problems, which creates conflict. That is why people with misophonia often live in total isolation.
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Many people suffering from the condition can’t eat a meal with their families because chewing is one of the triggers of the condition. Thus, they eat alone in their room to avoid any problems. People with the condition lose hope for recovery because they think misophonia doesn’t have any reputable treatment. However, you can adopt various therapies to reduce the symptoms.
Firstly, people suffering from this issue should identify the triggers and patterns to understand their tolerance level. Secondly, they should determine whether they are suffering from misophonia for an underlying condition or not. Once they find this information, they can identify a technique to cope with the situation. Certain techniques can help to reduce negative reactions such as agitation and anger to the triggering sounds.
Why People Don’t Understand the Pain of Misophonia Patients?
Many people don’t realize how irritating it can be to hear irritating and repetitive sounds. They think that the person with misophonia is making a fuss about the sound. Thus, they continue making the sound, instead of stopping it. As a result, they create more problems for the person suffering from the condition.
People who don’t understand how misophonia feels should consider the chalk scrapped on the chalkboard. The sound of the chalk screeching on the board can irritate anyone. When people listen to this annoying sound, they leap to stop it immediately. But, their reaction is not as aggressive as a person with misophonia. This is because they are suffering from a syndrome.
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What are the Biggest Online Misophonia Discussion Forums?
It is difficult to educate people about a disease that they cannot experience. That is why a lot of people don’t understand how a triggering sound can force a person to fight and flight situations. If you are suffering from the condition and want help to cope with the triggering sounds, you should check these informative forums and resources:
1. NeurologyLive.com
This is a resource site where you can find a plethora of information to deal with the condition. Visit this link, if you want to learn about misophonia triggers and techniques to manage them.
2. VeryWellMind.com
On this resource page, you can learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of misophonia.
3. SensoryHealth.org
This is another platform with valuable content for misophonia patients. If you are one of them, you should go through this page.
4. AllergictoSound.com
Want to learn how people suffering from misophonia deal with the condition? If yes, then you should check this forum page. On this page, you can find numerous discussion topics as well as create a new topic according to your problem.
5. MentalHealthForum.net
Mental health forum is another site to communicate with people dealing with misophonia. You can read the story of people having the same sound disorder as you are.
Misophonia and another sound disorder, tinnitus, are often linked. This website has a wealth of information on tinnitus, it’s symptoms and treatment options: https://www.tinnitustreatmentnyc.com/
Online Misophonia Discussion Forums & Resources: Conclusion
Are you looking for a specialist in NYC who can help you with misophonia? If yes, then you should contact the Misophonia Cognitive Center ™. At our NYC clinic, you can communicate with Stephen Geller Katz, a professional misophonia specialist with over 20 years of experience.
For appointments and more information, contact us at 646-585-2251.