Clinical Characteristics of Children and Adolescents With Misophonia

Misophonia has a serious impact on children and families. Few studies have, however, assessed the specific phenomenology of misophonia in youth. We investigated clinical characteristics in a treatment-seeking sample of youth with misophonia (n = 95, 8-18 years), using validated instruments to assess misophonia phenomenology, psychiatric comorbidity, emotional/behavioral problems, attention problems, sensory processing, and quality of life. The most prevalent triggers were eating sounds and the most common responses irritation/anger and anticipation anxiety. Psychiatric comorbidity was present in 27.4% of cases (eg, anxiety disorders 10.5%; attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder 8.4%). Internalizing psychopathology was more prevalent than externalizing. Adolescents reported differences in auditory, tactile, visual, and taste/smell sensory processing compared with a norm group, as well as heightened sensory awareness and avoidance. Misophonia severity was inversely related to quality of life in children/parents. Future research should investigate the underlying mechanisms of misophonia in youth. Pre-registered: The Netherlands Trial Register (CCMO): NL-OMON20775, https://onderzoekmetmensen.nl/nl/trial/20775