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. 2022 Jun 1;19(11):6790.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph19116790.

Misophonia: A Systematic Review of Current and Future Trends in This Emerging Clinical Field

Antonia Ferrer-Torres  1   2 , Lydia Giménez-Llort  2   3
Affiliations

Misophonia: A Systematic Review of Current and Future Trends in This Emerging Clinical Field

Antonia Ferrer-Torres et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Misophonia is a scarcely known disorder. This systematic review (1) offers a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the literature since 2001, (2) identifies the most relevant aspects but also controversies, (3) identifies the theoretical and methodological approaches, and (4) highlights the outstanding advances until May 2022 as well as aspects that remain unknown and deserve future research efforts. Misophonia is characterized by strong physiological, emotional, and behavioral reactions to auditory, visual, and/or kinesthetic stimuli of different nature regardless of their physical characteristics. These misophonic responses include anger, general discomfort, disgust, anxiety, and avoidance and escape behaviors, and decrease the quality of life of the people with the disorder and their relatives. There is no consensus on the diagnostic criteria yet. High comorbidity between misophonia and other psychiatric and auditory disorders is reported. Importantly, the confusion with other disorders contributes to its underdiagnosis. In recent years, assessment systems with good psychometric properties have increased considerably, as have treatment proposals. Although misophonia is not yet included in international classification systems, it is an emerging field of growing scientific and clinical interest.

Keywords: comorbidity; diagnosis; epidemiology; etiology; misophonia; treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Brief explanatory diagram of misophonia (own elaboration).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow chart of the systematic review on misophonia.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Timeline of outstanding studies related to misophonia (Own elaboration).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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