When Melissa Gilbert was a child actor starring in “Little House on the Prairie,” she had no idea why certain sounds triggered her so much. Now, she has a name for the condition she’s experienced for decades and she’s hoping to raise awareness so others can get the help they need. In a new interview with , the 60-year-old opened up about her diagnosis with misophonia, a condition that has affected many aspects of her life, and shared details about the treatment she's received to address her symptoms.
Below, learn more about Gilbert's misophonia diagnosis and the other health conditions she's spoken about in recent years. Per , misophonia is a disorder that's characterized by "a decreased tolerance to specific sounds and things you can sense related to them." Misophonia isn't officially recognized as a "distinct disorder," but is widely recognized by experts.
"There’s now a formal consensus definition for research purposes, and for diagnosing and treating it," The Cleveland Clinic writes. Per the , people with the condition experience "unpleasant physiological, emotional, cognitive and behavioral responses to repetitive triggers, commonly (but not always) oral or nasal sounds made by others." According to The Cleveland Clinic, misophonia is characterized by the way someone reacts to trigger sounds.
“The reactions all seem to fall under the natural 'fight-or-flight' instincts,” the website reads. Those with misophonia can have an emotional reaction and become angr.