Does the Context of a 'Trigger Sound' Matter in Misophonia?

"For these individuals, extreme emotional distress, panic, anger, frustration, and even disgust have been noted (Brout, 2018). Misophonia is a neurophysiological condition in which the amygdala becomes activated by sounds that should not be alarming or dangerous (Kumar, 2017). The context of triggers-such as whether or not something is rude, offensive, or otherwise disgusting can affect the emotional aftermath of a trigger, but it does not change the aversive fight-flight-freeze response."

"An individual with misophonia may feel strong emotions over, for example, another person sniffling and try to contextualize their anger as being offended by rudeness (Rouw, 2018). These are cognitive ways to deal with a condition that is not cognitive. Without an explanation for distress, persons with misophonia are likely to come up with 'logical' reasons for their reaction. This emotional response does not change the severity of the trigger; rather, it is a way for the individual to cope with the physiological aftermath of fight-flight-freeze."

Misophonia produces an involuntary fight-flight-freeze reaction when specific sounds or visuals occur, producing panic, anger, frustration, and disgust. The amygdala becomes activated by non-dangerous sounds, reflecting a neurophysiological basis rather than a cognitive one. Context—such as perceiving a sound as rude, offensive, deliberate, or necessary—may shape the emotional aftermath but does not alter the initial aversive physiological response. Individuals often generate cognitive explanations for their distress to cope with the physiological aftermath. Cognitive reframing and other cognitive skills can ease post-trigger emotions but should not replace environmental accommodations that reduce exposure to triggers.

Read at Psychology Today