I was sitting at a table in a fairly busy coffee shop, facing freelance writer Cathy Alter. Around us, people chatted, typed and dined; occasionally, the espresso machine whirred. We were discussing an article Cathy was writing. Behind Cathy was another table. On the opposite side of that table sat a young woman eating a breakfast sandwich and occasionally talking to her companion. "For example," Cathy said, leaning forward and whispering, "I can hear her chewing, and it's driving me crazy." I hadn't noticed the chewing, and it certainly wasn't making me anxious or irritated. The difference is that Cathy suffers from misophonia, a disorder that involves acute sensitivity to some sounds, which she writes about this week. Misophonia only got its name in 2001 (my computer still wants to autocorrect it), and it isn't yet in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. There's a lot we don't know about it. Cathy's article lays out what we do know, illustrates what it's like to suffer from it, and outlines a new initiative to find treatment for it. It's fascinating, and, if you're anything like me, it'll make you think the next time you bite into an apple or a chip. As always, we welcome letters at localliving@washpost.com. Elizabeth Chang, Wellness editor |
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