Misophonia linked to higher risk of mental health and auditory disorders
Mar 9th 2026
A nationally representative US study published in Psychiatry Research reports that people with misophonia face much higher rates of anxiety, depression and auditory-sensory problems, though findings rely on self-reported data.
- A US population study found about 65% of people with misophonia reported at least one additional psychological diagnosis.
- Lifetime rates were high for depression and anxiety among those with misophonia, at 49% and 47% respectively.
- Current screening showed 53% of the misophonia group screened positive for anxiety versus 8% of controls, and 42% screened positive for depression versus 6% of controls.
- Auditory symptoms were common: 44% of the misophonia group reported tinnitus and 42% reported hyperacusis symptoms, compared with 23% and 2% of controls respectively.
- The study used a probability-based nationally representative US sample of 185 people with misophonia and 1,644 controls from the Ipsos KnowledgePanel.
- Results are based on self-reported symptoms and diagnoses, and after adjusting for demographics misophonia was not linked to higher rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder or repetitive behavior disorders.