Quick Answer
Misophonia and anxiety often overlap. Misophonia is strong emotional distress, such as anger, disgust or anxiety, triggered by specific everyday sounds, often made by other people. It isn't a formal DSM-5 diagnosis, but it's increasingly recognized. People with misophonia often also have anxiety, OCD or other conditions, and therapy can help.
Understanding misophonia and Anxiety
Misophonia literally means hatred of sound, but the experience is more complicated. People describe an instant surge of anger, disgust, panic or an overwhelming urge to escape when they hear specific sounds, often chewing, slurping, breathing, sniffing, throat-clearing or repetitive tapping. The reaction feels automatic and out of proportion, which many people find embarrassing. Triggers are often sounds made by other people, including loved ones, which can strain relationships. This guide is part of our library of New York anxiety guides.
Misophonia isn’t a formal diagnosis in DSM-5, but it’s increasingly recognized by clinicians and researchers. It often overlaps with anxiety disorders, OCD, and sensory sensitivities. Anxiety commonly develops around trigger situations, such as dreading family meals, open-plan offices or quiet subway cars. NIMH notes anxiety disorders can involve worry and avoidance that interfere with daily life, which is often what brings people with misophonia to care. Our guide on return-to-office anxiety covers a common trigger setting.
For New Yorkers in open-plan offices, packed trains and small apartments, escaping trigger sounds can feel nearly impossible. According to the NYC Health Department, about a quarter of adult New Yorkers received any mental health treatment in the past year. Secure video visits anywhere in New York can make it easier to start care without a commute or a long search.
Trigger sounds, anger and anxiety responses, and coping strategies are the three themes this guide explores.
Coping strategies
Noise-canceling headphones, background sound or music, choosing seats strategically, and planning breaks during meals or meetings can reduce exposure in the short term. Explaining misophonia to family or coworkers can reduce conflict. Slow breathing and stepping away briefly can help when a trigger hits. These strategies help, but relying only on avoidance can make sensitivity worse over time. Therapy helps balance coping and flexibility.
Relationships and misophonia
Because triggers often come from people close to you, misophonia can strain relationships. Talking about it openly, without blame, and agreeing on practical adjustments, like background music at dinner, can help. Couples or family sessions can be useful. Remember that the reaction is about how your brain processes sound, not about the other person. Understanding reduces conflict.
Key Takeaways
- Misophonia involves intense emotional reactions to specific sounds.
- Common triggers include chewing, breathing, sniffing and repetitive tapping.
- Misophonia isn't a formal DSM-5 diagnosis but is increasingly recognized.
- Anxiety and avoidance often develop around trigger situations.
Misophonia and Anxiety at a glance
| Trigger | Common response |
|---|---|
| Chewing and eating sounds | Anger, disgust, leaving the table |
| Breathing or sniffing | Irritation, urge to escape |
| Keyboard or pen tapping | Distraction, rising tension |
| Repetitive noises | Anxiety, trouble concentrating |
| Anticipating triggers | Avoiding meals, offices, transit |
How it affects daily life
People with misophonia may eat alone, wear headphones constantly, avoid certain coworkers, change seats on trains, or leave rooms abruptly. Family meals and shared workspaces can become stressful. Some people feel guilty about their reactions to loved ones. Over time, anticipatory anxiety about triggers can become as distressing as the triggers themselves. Recognizing the pattern is the first step.
Therapy approaches
Cognitive behavioral therapy approaches can help reduce the emotional reaction to triggers, address anticipatory anxiety, and build coping skills. Some therapists use techniques that pair trigger sounds with other stimuli or shift attention. Working on related anxiety or OCD often helps too. Treatment research for misophonia is still developing, so an individualized approach is common. Many people find meaningful relief. Our guides on return-to-office anxiety and crowd and transit anxiety cover related topics.
Misophonia care for New York patients
Video visits can be taken from a quiet space at home, which many people with misophonia appreciate. Visits run by secure video anywhere in New York, while you’re physically in the state. The practice is in-network with Aetna and Cigna; confirm your New York plan with the office, and see self-pay fees on the Good Faith Estimate page.
Related conditions
Misophonia often occurs alongside anxiety disorders, OCD, and other sensory sensitivities, and sometimes with ADHD or tinnitus. Treating co-occurring anxiety or OCD can lessen misophonia’s impact. An evaluation looks at the full picture. If you notice broader sound sensitivity or ringing in the ears, a hearing evaluation may help. Our guide on anxiety and tinnitus covers that overlap.
When to seek help
Seek help if misophonia is affecting work, relationships or your ability to be in shared spaces, or if anxiety and avoidance have been growing. It’s also worth an evaluation if you notice depression or conflict at home. Help is available even though misophonia isn’t a formal diagnosis. Many clinicians are familiar with it. You don’t have to manage it alone.
Keeping a simple log of triggers, settings and your reactions for a few weeks can reveal patterns, such as reactions being stronger when you’re tired, hungry or already stressed. That information helps your clinician tailor treatment and helps you plan around high-risk times. Many people notice their reactions soften when overall anxiety and sleep improve.
The Bottom Line
Misophonia and Anxiety is common and treatable, and careful care can make daily life feel more manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is misophonia?
Misophonia is strong emotional distress, such as anger, disgust or anxiety, triggered by specific everyday sounds. Common triggers include chewing, breathing, sniffing and repetitive tapping, often made by other people. The reaction feels automatic and out of proportion. Misophonia isn't a formal DSM-5 diagnosis but is increasingly recognized. Help is available from clinicians familiar with it.
Is misophonia an anxiety disorder?
Misophonia isn't classified as an anxiety disorder, but it often overlaps with anxiety, OCD and sensory sensitivities. Anxiety commonly develops around trigger situations, like meals or shared workspaces. Treating related anxiety can lessen misophonia's impact. An evaluation looks at the full picture. Many people have both.
How is misophonia treated?
Cognitive behavioral therapy approaches can help reduce reactions to triggers, address anticipatory anxiety and build coping skills. Therapists may use attention-shifting or sound-pairing techniques. Treating co-occurring anxiety or OCD often helps. Research on misophonia treatment is still developing, so care is individualized. Many people find meaningful relief.
Do headphones help misophonia?
Noise-canceling headphones and background sound can reduce exposure to triggers in the short term and make shared spaces more manageable. They're a useful coping tool. Relying only on avoidance, though, may increase sensitivity over time. Therapy helps balance coping tools with building tolerance. Your clinician can help find that balance.
How can I explain misophonia to my family?
Explain that certain sounds trigger an automatic emotional reaction in your brain, and that it isn't about them personally. Suggest practical adjustments, like background music at meals or eating in a different arrangement. Talk when you're calm, not in the moment. Family sessions can help if conflict continues. Understanding on both sides reduces tension.
Can I get help for misophonia by video in New York?
Yes, evaluations and follow-ups happen by secure video anywhere in New York, from a quiet space of your choosing. Your clinician can assess related anxiety or OCD and coordinate with a therapist. You need to be physically in New York during each visit. Any prescriptions go electronically to your pharmacy. Starting from a controlled environment can make the first visit easier.
Where to go from here
- Right now, if you're not safe
- Call or text 988, or call 911.
- If you'd like an evaluation
- See how scheduling and telehealth work on the new patient page.
- If you want to keep reading
- Return to the NY anxiety resource center for more guides.
How We Reviewed This Page
Written by Steven Lockhart of Health Marketing Group and clinically reviewed by Gabriella I. Farkas, MD PhD, a board-certified psychiatrist. Clinical information comes from the sources listed below, and the page is reviewed every 180 days or when guidance changes.
What’s new: September 29, 2026. Page published.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health. Anxiety Disorders. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders
- National Institute of Mental Health. Generalized Anxiety Disorder: What You Need to Know. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad
- NYC Health Department. The State of Mental Health of New Yorkers (2024). https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/mh/state-of-mental-health-new-yorkers.pdf
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. https://988lifeline.org/