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The "Butterfly's Whisper" Blog

Welcome to my blog. I hope by sharing my own misophonia experiences, others who are frustrated with misophonia sensitivities will discover that they're not alone. I also hope that people who may not have misophonia will gain some insight about what it's like to have this condition.

Please feel free to post any comments or use the "Contact Us" page if you have any questions/comments you don't want to post online.

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Misophonia Relief in the Workplace

1/9/2013

1 Comment

 
Yesterday was a very exciting day for me with regard to my misophonia relief in the workplace... The HR person in my office said that they were willing to relocate me to help minimize my exposure to misophonia triggers. When I first approached him a couple of months ago, I was hesitant to even mention the condition and didn't think the firm would be willing to help address my frustrations but boy was I wrong. The firm wants employees to be comfortable in their work environment and was willing to work with me to help find a solution. From our conversation, I realized that the firm would be devistated if I quit because I was uncomfortable in my work environment if there was something that could've been done to make my situation more bearable.  Very different experience from my dealings at prior firms.

I almost wonder if it's not just the attitude of the firm but the Midwest "culture" out here in general. I just moved here at the end of 2011 when, for 40+ year prior to that, the furthest WEST I've ever lived was DC. (Essentially, I've lived in major cities between DC to Boston.) Life out east was very intense compared to the Midwest, and I can recall many times where I politely (even meekly) asked someone if they could stop doing something that I now know was triggering my misophonia. Most of the time they responded with a stern, "Why?" or kept doing the trigger even more; but ever since I moved to the Midwest, I find that when I'm in the same situation, people are much more understanding about my request. (Heck, one gentleman in a window seat across the aisle from my window seat switched sides with me because I nearly died by the perfume scent trigger from the woman sitting in front of me.) The sincere generosity and kindness of the people I've met since moving out to the Midwest isn't lost on me, and I think it's why I felt I could approach my firm with how my misophonia has been affecting me in the workplace. I'm glad my instincts were right and I did not hesitate to let them know that their concern about my situation is VERY much appreciated.

There aren't too many areas in the office where I'd be completely removed from triggers, but the one place where I'll be relocating is an area that I suggested. It will keep me fairly close to my team, it is has fairly good sound obstructions (including higher partitions), and it distances me from general circulation traffic as well as some of my known triggers. There may still be some exposure to triggers, as it does bring me closer to the reception area, but I think the space is enclosed enough that I should be buffered from the majority of my workplace triggers. Only time will tell...
1 Comment
April
9/1/2014 04:25:11 am

I am walking in your shoes! I've recently encountered the same work place situation which was addressed positively; by the way, I'm an interior designer. I am also a graduate student beginning a thesis on the topic of noise in the workplace and how it negatively impacts those with such sensory issues. I would much appreciate an further information you've compiled over the years, your comments or any other offerings you may have as I too learn to cope and write. Reading this post could not have come at a better time.

Thanks you so much!

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    About the Author

    Emlyn Altman has been suffering with misophonia for over 40 years, even though she only found out about the actual medical condition much more recently. As frustrating as the condition has been over the years, her heightened sensitivities across all the senses considerably influenced her talents within the visual fine arts (particularly sculpture), music (singing, piano, and many other instruments), writing, and culinary backgrounds, as well as professional achievements as an architectural lighting designer. Her goal in developing this website is to promote more awareness about misophonia and help other sufferers as well.


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