Symposia
Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders
Andrew G. Guzick, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Eleanor Smith, PhD
Medical Student
Baylor College of medicine
Houston, Texas
Isabel Draper, PhD
Medical Student
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Jane Clinger, PhD
Research Coordinator
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Sophie Schneider, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Dean McKay, ABPP, Ph.D.
Professor
Fordham University
Bronx, New York
Jennifer Brout, Psy.D.
Psychologist
JJB Counseling and Consultation
Westport, Connecticut
Marjin Lijffijt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Wayne Goodman, MD
Chairperson
BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Houston, TX
Eric Storch, Ph.D.
Professor and Vice Chair of Psychology
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Introduction: Misophonia is characterized by a heightened reaction to certain sounds and associated stimuli. While there is no evidence-based treatment for misophonia, different approaches are being investigated. Individuals with lived experience are valuable stakeholders in these efforts, as their perceptions of treatments may impact expectancies and engagement with different approaches. The aim of this study was to analyze treatment experiences and attitudes among parents of youth with misophonia as well as adults with misophonia.
Methods: Using an online survey, data were collected about treatment experiences, perceived appropriateness of different treatments (rated on a 0-4 Likert scale), and overall treatment satisfaction (0-4 Likert scale) from parents of children with self-identified misophonia (N = 141) as well as adults with self-identified misophonia (N = 252).
Results: 41% of parents and 46% of adults reported being “moderately” or “very dissatisfied” with treatments received for misophonia. The most frequently tried treatments were lifestyle modifications (96% of parents and 89% of adults) and audiologic interventions (e.g., active and passive noise cancelling; 93% of parents and 87% of adults). These two modalities were perceived as significantly more appropriate than other treatments (lifestyle modifications: d = .80, p < .001; audiologic treatments: d = .54, p < .001). Among psychological therapies, higher perceived appropriateness was noted for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based therapies, supportive therapy, family counseling, and group therapy relative to other forms of therapy for both parent and adult respondents (ds: .23 - .71, ps < .001). Treatments that were rated as significantly less appropriate included: equine-assisted therapy, exposure therapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, hypnosis, play therapy (for youth), and support groups (ds: .27 – 1.37, ps < .001). No clinical or demographic variables were consistently associated with perceived treatment appropriateness.
Discussion: Results suggest dissatisfaction with currently available treatments. These findings should be considered in ongoing efforts to develop misophonia treatment strategies (for example, finding a balance between approach-oriented coping often used in CBT with avoidance-oriented coping that may be more acceptable to individuals with misophonia). A deeper understanding of why certain treatments were more or less preferred has the potential to guide treatment development as well.