Misophonia Treatment

Misophonia is a real, treatable condition in which specific everyday sounds (often chewing, breathing, or repetitive tapping) trigger an intense, involuntary emotional reaction. In Austin, Dr. Amitai Abramovitch treats misophonia with evidence-based CBT, in person and via telehealth across Texas and Florida. Dr. Abramovitch is also the author of foundational neuropsychological research on misophonia (Abramovitch et al., 2024)

What is misophonia, and is it a real disorder?

Misophonia (sometimes called selective sound sensitivity) is not yet formally classified in the DSM-5, but a 2022 expert consensus definition and a growing research base establish it as a genuine condition that can significantly disrupt relationships, work, and daily life. Many people with misophonia have spent years being told they are simply too sensitive.

How is misophonia treated, and does CBT help?

The most supported approach is cognitive behavioral therapy adapted for misophonia. Treatment focuses on understanding what maintains the reaction, increasing flexibility in how you interpret and respond to trigger sounds, gradually building tolerance, and reducing the avoidance and safety behaviors that keep distress going. The goal is not to eliminate every reaction but to give you back a meaningful sense of control.

How is misophonia different from general noise sensitivity?

General noise sensitivity (hyperacusis) involves discomfort with loud sounds across the board. Misophonia is specific to particular pattern-based sounds (usually made by people) that trigger an intense emotional reaction, rather than distress driven by the loudness or amplification of the sound itself.

Does misophonia co-occur with OCD or ADHD?

Yes. Misophonia frequently co-occurs with OCD, as well as ADHD, clinical perfectionism, and anxiety disorders. Identifying these overlapping conditions is important for an accurate, effective treatment plan and is a particular area of the practice's expertise.

Frequently asked questions

Is misophonia treatable? Yes. With the right evidence-based support, meaningful improvement is achievable, even when triggers come from people closest to you.

Can misophonia be treated over telehealth? Yes. Research supports telehealth-delivered CBT, available across Texas and Florida.

Do you accept insurance? The practice is out-of-network and provides a superbill for possible reimbursement.

Research referenced in this article

Abramovitch, A., Herrera, T., & Etherton, J. L. (2024). A neuropsychological study of misophonia. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 82, 101897.

Swedo, S. E., Baguley, D. M., Denys, D., Dixon, L. J., Erfanian, M., Fioretti, A.,....(2022). Consensus Definition of Misophonia: A Delphi Study. Frontiers in neuroscience, 16, 841816.