Everyone has a few pet peeves in life. Little things like bad grammar, having more than 20 items in the express lane, or wearing socks with sandals. They’re pet peeves, little things that annoy you.
My pet peeve probably is more than a pet. It’s more like a monster. I HATE the sound of chewing/eating.
I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember. I probably get it from my mother, who didn’t like anyone to chew with their mouths open. But it’s not only that for me. It’s the sounds people make when they eat. The sound of chewing, slurping, swallowing–they make me CRAZY! And don’t even get me started on gum snappers.
BUT–little did I know, this is actually a psychological condition! From Wikipedia:
Misophonia, literally “hatred of sound”, is a neurological disorder in which negative experiences (anger, flight, hatred, disgust) are triggered by specific sounds. The sounds can be loud or soft. The term was coined by American neuroscientists Pawel Jastreboff and Margaret Jastreboff and is often used interchangeably with the term selective sound sensitivity.
People who have misophonia are most commonly angered, and even enraged, by common ambient sounds, such as other people clearing their throats, clipping their nails, brushing their teeth, chewing crushed ice, eating, slurping, drinking, breathing, sniffing, talking, sneezing, yawning, walking, chewing gum, laughing, snoring, typing on a keyboard, whistling or coughing; saying certain consonants; or repetitive sounds. Some are also affected by visual stimuli, such as repetitive foot or body movements, fidgeting, or movement they observe out of the corners of their eyes; this has been termed misokinesia, meaning hatred of movement. Intense anxiety and avoidant behavior may develop, which can lead to decreased socialization. Some people feel the compulsion to mimic what they hear or see. Mimicry is an automatic, non-conscious, and social phenomenon. It has a palliative aspect, making the sufferer feel better. The act of mimicry can elicit compassion and empathy, which ameliorates and lessens hostility, competition, and opposition. There is also a biological basis for how mimicry reduces the suffering from a trigger.
I KNOW. I’M A FREAK.
But the mimicry thing—that’s totally true! If Dan’s eating something and it’s driving me crazy, I grab something to eat. Same with gum chewing–if I can snap bubbles too, I feel better.
FREAKY FREAK FREAK.
The thing is, I have to be VERY conscious of my *ahem* disorder. I’ve noticed that Ethan is starting to display the same behaviors, especially with his siblings. As a parent, I need to make sure he doesn’t turn out as crazy as I am, right?
The good thing to remember is that I’m not the only crazy one out there…..
What’s your pet peeve?