A condition known as "selective sound sensitivity syndrome": For some misophonists; such activities as, gum cracking, the sounds of forks, knives, or spoons clanking against plates during meals, are intolerable sounds that irritate, upset, or even make some of them become very angry.

A misophonist with a minimal level of involvement with disturbing sounds may be aware that some sounds can be a problem or an annoyance; for some people certain sounds "get on their nerves".

Some misophonists report having a powerful "fight or flight" response caused by panic and the reaction is immediate and not something that the misophonist can control because the disturbing sound may result in strong feelings of disgust since it seems to be made on purpose.