289: Misophonia With Brooklyn Disch

289: Misophonia With Brooklyn Disch

Before we dive into today's podcast episode, I'd like to discuss a few things and introduce today's guest. Firstly, I want to talk about our RRT and the upcoming program I'm developing called 'Get Rid of Anxiety and Trauma for Good.' This program is a collaboration between you and me. If you want to be among the first to know about it and potentially join, please note that there's a maximum limit of 15 people for this program. Together, we'll craft the best possible program.

After that, you can access this program for life. As it changes and improves, you will also gain access to those updates. This program encompasses all the material I typically cover in one-on-one sessions for anxiety and trauma. Additionally, there are bonus workshops available for specific situations like flying on an airplane, driving in a car, and managing social anxiety. You'll discover these workshops when you register and gain access to the full spectrum of the program. However, the doors to join are not yet open. You can visit www.getridofanxietyforgood.com and sign up for the waitlist. Those on the waitlist will be the first to know about this program's launch and have the opportunity to secure a discounted rate that will not be available again. Don't miss out—go to www.getridofanxietyforgood.com now.

I want to share an experience that a mom shared with me. She said, 'It's hard for me to articulate how RRT has helped because it's something you have to experience firsthand. I feel significantly more relaxed, and the constant worry and anxiety aren't dominating my daily life anymore. It's almost surreal how those feelings can just dissipate. It's like my brain is operating in a more relaxed mode. Although there are still moments when anxiety creeps in, I've learned to recognize it quickly. When I sense myself entering that state, I pause whatever I'm doing and actively assess the situation around me. This helps me deal with it in a more conscious and constructive manner. I believe RRT has also instilled a sense of calmness in my subconscious. I would wholeheartedly recommend RRT to anyone grappling with anxiety or the tendency to worry excessively. It's challenging to explain its mechanism, but the bottom line is: it works.’

So again, if you're interested in joining this program, please note that I'm not currently offering one-on-one sessions. My schedule is fully booked for March, and I've temporarily halted one-on-one sessions. If you're seeking this type of assistance, your opportunity lies in joining this program. To get on the waitlist, visit www.getridofanxietyforgood.com.

Now, let me introduce today's guest. Our guest is Brooklyn Disch. Brooklyn holds a degree in communication and certifications in NLP, EFT, TIME Techniques, Clinical Hypnotherapy, and Life and Success Coaching. Currently, Brooklyn is undergoing training in Rapid Resolution Therapy with Dr. John Connolly. After enduring misophonia for over two decades, Brooklyn employed unconscious reprogramming techniques to break free from the suffering spiral and now lives misophonia-free. Brooklyn also hosts the 'Let's Ditch Misophonia' podcast and assists clients in finding relief. Let's welcome our guest, Brooklyn.

Welcome to the Joyful Mom Podcast! I'm thrilled to have Brooklyn Disch as my guest today. Brooklyn and I met at a business event and discovered that we're both part of the same coaching program. Our connection deepened when we started discussing RRT techniques. I'm excited to have you here, Brooklyn, and to hear your story. Can you please introduce yourself and share how you help others, which will set the stage for our conversation today?

"I'm Brooklyn, as you mentioned, and I guess my title would be a Misophonia Rewiring Coach. So, I support people who experience misophonia in lessening their trigger sounds, alleviating their suffering, and finally getting relief from misophonia."

"Hmm, that's interesting because I hadn't heard of misophonia until recently. I think I came across it during one of the RT membership calls, and I was like, 'What is misophonia?' I wouldn't even have been able to describe it if someone asked. Can you explain a bit more about misophonia—what it is, what it looks like, and how someone would know they're experiencing it?"

"Sure, that's a great question. People do experience misophonia differently, so my explanation might differ from others. But essentially, misophonia is an intense, automatic reaction to specific trigger sounds. These trigger sounds vary from person to person, so what triggers me might not trigger someone else. It goes beyond annoyance; it's more like rage if I had to put it into words. It's very difficult to describe if you haven't experienced it. For me, it's like this pattern that's developed, but the good news is that patterns can be broken, interrupted, and uninstalled. So, that's how I view misophonia and describe it. Others might describe it differently. And yes, it's mainly triggered by certain noises or sounds, and the reaction can sometimes feel disproportionate, like, 'Why am I reacting this way?'"

"Ah, so it's like an immediate reaction that can sometimes feel overwhelming, and the questioning comes later?"

"Exactly. There are indeed various emotions that can accompany misophonia. Additionally, some people experience misokinesia, which involves being bothered by repetitive movements. However, misophonia is more commonly discussed than misokinesia. Movements are somewhat easier to avoid since you can look away, whereas sounds are harder to escape."

"Yeah, that makes sense. Movements are more controllable in a way. And yeah, I can imagine questioning why certain sounds affect you so much. It's like, 'What's wrong with me? Why can't I handle this when others seem unaffected by it?'"

"Exactly. Those thoughts come up, and it can be quite challenging to navigate those feelings."

"Absolutely. It sounds like it can be quite a burden to carry."

"Indeed, it can be."

“So, what is your story? I know misophonia has been a big part of your life. How has it affected you, and what's been your journey with it?"

"That's a big question, but I'll try to summarize. I've suffered from misophonia for a long time, at least 20 years. My earliest memory of it dates back to around age 7, although it could have started earlier—I'm not sure due to poor memory. It made my life incredibly challenging. School was difficult, and making and keeping friends was a constant struggle. Many of us with misophonia hesitate to talk about it because some people use it against us, making noises intentionally to see us squirm or dismissing our experiences. It made it hard to form healthy relationships. Graduating college was one of the most challenging things I've done due to the anxiety and frustration caused by misophonia. Rage was a primary emotion for many years, always bubbling under the surface. It often manifests in situations unrelated to trigger noises. Misophonia had a huge impact on my life until recently, within the last year or so."

"That sounds incredibly challenging and impactful. I remember when we first chatted, you mentioned that misophonia made you not even want to live anymore. Am I remembering that correctly?"

"Yes, you're correct. There were times when it was incredibly overwhelming, and I did feel that way. I'm grateful to still be here and alive."

"I appreciate you sharing that with us. It's important to shed light on these experiences, especially since many people in the community may not want to talk about it due to various reasons. People making light of it or not understanding the severity of the issue can be quite hurtful. It's not something to joke about, and it's difficult to open up about it when others may not fully comprehend the impact."

"Exactly. It's a complex issue, and it's hard for others to understand if they haven't experienced it themselves."

“What would you say is the biggest thing that stands out about misophonia in your life, aside from what you've already shared?"

"Sure, I'll avoid going into too much detail, but one of my biggest trigger sounds was whistling, which would immediately trigger panic and rage. Trigger sounds can vary from noises made by people, and environmental sounds, to sounds animals make. Interestingly, I've noticed that triggers often come from those closest to us, which makes sense given the frequency of interaction and the expectation that they should know better."

"That's interesting. It's like the more aware you become, the more you notice these triggers. So, given your experience, how did you heal or ease your misophonia? What steps did you take to make it better?"

"It's quite a journey. Misophonia used to be something I hated about myself, wishing it would just disappear. Now, it's something I talk about and advocate for daily. Initially, I didn't think there was anything I could do about it. But then I discovered Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT), and it was a lightbulb moment. I realized that it wasn't the sounds themselves causing me pain, but rather, the way my mind processed them. This revelation gave me a sense of control. I started using the modalities I was certified in, including RRT and worked with John Connolly. It took effort and training, but I learned to control my responses. I attended one of John's introductory trainings, and that's when the magic started happening. I remember the first time I heard whistling and didn't feel an immediate sense of panic—it was like, 'Holy crap, this is working.' Then, those trigger sounds just started dropping one by one. I had already been in the coaching space, so I knew I couldn't help others once I found the key to relief. For me, unconscious reprogramming has been the key to misophonia relief, both for myself and my clients. I love the perspective shift RT brings—that it's not the noises or the person causing the issue, but rather, how our minds process the data. It's empowering to realize that we have control over ourselves and what we can do within ourselves. Many people believe they just have to accept certain things as they are, but misophonia, like any pattern, can be broken with effort. We break patterns all the time in our daily lives, whether it's taking a different route to work or acquiring a taste for food we once disliked. If you can do that, you can reprogram anything that's not serving you."

"That's such a powerful perspective. It's incredible to think about how much control we have over our experiences and patterns. Misophonia doesn't have to be a life sentence."

"Exactly. It's all about realizing our power to change our circumstances."

"What does it look like for you now? How does misophonia show up for you today?"

"For me, I would say I'm misophonia-free because I haven't had a true misophonia response to a sound since February 2023. It's been over a year, and I just celebrated my first misophonia-free anniversary. I'd rate myself as about 0.5 out of 5 on a scale of 1 out of 10. There are still some sounds that may bother or annoy me, but they don't trigger rage, panic, or frustration like they used to. It doesn't significantly impact my quality of life, which is amazing. Also, it's important to note that almost everyone has some noises that bother them, like nails on a chalkboard. Those few noises that bother me now don't have the same intense effect. It's more about learning to be comfortable in discomfort and managing challenges as they arise. We can't expect to be happy all the time or never face discomfort, but with the tools and strategies we have, we can navigate those moments more effectively. I share this perspective with my clients, emphasizing that it's not about shutting down awareness or eliminating discomfort, but rather recalibrating our responses and discerning what truly warrants attention and action."

"That's a powerful shift in perspective. It's about recalibrating our responses rather than trying to eliminate discomfort. It's important to distinguish between what's truly threatening and what's just uncomfortable. Thank you for sharing your journey and insights with us. Is there anything else you would suggest to someone dealing with misophonia? What's one thing they could do today?"

"I like to think of three keys to addressing misophonia metaphorically. First, shifting your perspective; second, rewiring your mind or response; and third, cultivating lasting relief. In the first step, it's crucial to believe that change is possible. If you resign yourself to suffering indefinitely, you'll fulfill that prophecy. So, start by becoming an observer of your language. Rather than saying 'I have misophonia,' which ties it to your identity, shift to 'This is something I experience.' This wedge between identity and experience gives you leverage to make changes. It's about embracing the idea that change is possible and finding examples of it. I'm not the only one who has found relief from misophonia. There are countless resources available that offer more than just coping mechanisms; they provide ways to rewire your response."

Host: "That's a powerful shift in mindset. Thank you for sharing these insights and suggestions. They offer hope and a path forward for those struggling with misophonia. I love that perspective. Coping mechanisms are useful, but they're even better when paired with actual programming work to reduce reliance on them over time."

"Exactly. It's about addressing the root cause rather than just managing symptoms."

"Is there anything else you'd like to share about misophonia, your experience, or healing from it?"

"Yes, I find it fascinating to connect with others in the misophonia community. Many people are hesitant to talk about it, so being able to offer support and understanding is incredibly rewarding. I've found that having empathy is important, but it's also crucial to focus on solutions rather than dwelling on shared experiences. It's about helping people reprogram their responses rather than just commiserating. I use a combination of techniques, including rapid resolution therapy, NLP, and hypnosis, to help clients shift their perspective, reprogram their minds, and cultivate lasting relief. Additionally, I help them navigate and process intense emotions associated with misophonia, as these emotions can sabotage progress if left unresolved. I love using EFT or tapping to regulate and understand how to process emotions. Rapid resolution therapy is also amazing for that, along with NLP techniques. I incorporate storytelling, metaphors, and even some silly activities to keep things light and enjoyable for my clients. Healing doesn't have to be dreary and hopeless; it can be fun and uplifting."

"That sounds like a comprehensive approach to healing. I completely agree. Bringing lightness and joy into the healing process can make it much more accessible and enjoyable. Thank you for all the valuable insights you've shared."

"My pleasure. I'm passionate about helping others find relief from misophonia. It's about making the journey as positive and empowering as possible."

"So, what's one thing that brings you joy in your life today?"

"Well, there are many things, but serving my clients brings me a lot of happiness. Also, over the last couple of years, I've become a plant parent, and I just love taking care of my plants. It grounds me and helps me reset."

"That's wonderful! What is one book that has encouraged you or helped you?"

"I would say 'The Life-Changing Conversations' by John Connolly. It's a very insightful book that has changed the way I view challenges and obstacles, as well as how I communicate with people."

"And finally, what's one thing that you've learned from your journey and experience with misophonia?"

"I've learned that you never know where life will take you and how capable we are as human beings to redefine and reprogram aspects of our lives. Despite challenges, there is always a way forward."

"Thank you so much, Brooklyn, for sharing your insights and experiences with us. How can people connect with you?"

"You can find me on Instagram (@brooklyndish), on my YouTube channel 'Let's Ditch Misophonia,' and on my podcast, also called 'Let's Ditch Misophonia.'"

"Thank you once again for joining me today. It's been a pleasure chatting with you!"

"Thank you for having me! I've enjoyed our conversation."

Instagram: @brooklyndisch

YouTube: Let's Ditch Misophonia

Apple Podcast: Let's Ditch Misophonia

Spotify Podcast: Let's Ditch Misophonia

Website: www.brooklyndisch.com

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