Interview: Kelly Morefield

Kelly Morefield is a rising Junior in high school with Misophonia whose Girl Scout Gold Award is focused on raising awareness on the disorder.

Q: At the time of this writing, you’re currently a sophomore in high school. Have there been any unique challenges with Misophonia in your classes, during exams, or in social settings?

A: Yes! Currently, I’m a sophomore, which is challenging enough, but adding Misophonia into the mix and finding ways to deal with it has been quite the journey. I have a 504 plan with certain accommodations that help immensely. This plan allows me the freedom to use headphones, earplugs, and an alternate work space as needed. So far, I have been pretty lucky with getting teachers who understand my needs, but it can still be really challenging. For example, it seems every student at my school needs to chew gum 24/7. It is so loud and distracting, and sometimes my teachers even chew gum while teaching. It is such a small thing to people without Misophonia, but to me, it’s the worst possible thing to be near in a classroom environment. 

In terms of exams, it has been an ongoing fight to get standardized testing accommodations, with lots of back and forth trying to figure out how to make it happen. The College Board can be tricky to deal with, so my best advice is to start early, asking for accommodations on exams like the SAT. 

Socially, I have been blessed with friends who understand my struggles and help support me on the bad days. It does suck though having to turn down a hangout sometimes due to my Misophonia. 

Q: Tell us more about your Gold Award Project for the Girl Scouts, and why you chose to focus on Misophonia. 

A: Since a Gold Award project is an 80-hour service project, I knew I wanted to spend this time on something I’m passionate about. I wanted to focus on teens because a lot of the resources in the Misosphere are created for adults with the disorder. This project will culminate in a webpage stacked with teen-specific resources for Misophonia! We’re talking about videos, blog posts, conversation starters and so much more. My hope for this project is to help anyone who needs it and provide resources to help teens with Misophonia not feel so alone in this journey. 

Q: Considering Misophonia tends to be more prevalent among females, do you have any fellow Girl Scouts or leaders who also have it?

A: At the moment, nobody that I know in my Girl Scout community has Misophonia. However, I am involved in a mother-daughter organization called National Charity League, and one of the mothers does. It was so crazy learning that and meeting another Misophone in person. Other than that, most of the people with Misophonia I know, I’ve met through the soQuiet teen support group. 

Q: How old were you when you first started experiencing signs of Misophonia, and when did you receive an official diagnosis?

A: I first noticed symptoms towards the end of my 7th-grade year. I remember sitting in math class searching for ways to tell my parents that they were eating too loudly. I came across an article about Misophonia, and I realized that it was perfectly describing my experiences. I was officially diagnosed during my 8th-grade year, when I was 13. 

Q: What specific sounds seem to be the most impacting to you on a day-to-day basis, and do you have any coping mechanisms that have helped?

A: My main triggers are eating-related, and I encounter them a lot at school. I use headphones and earplugs during those moments, but after a long and triggering day, there is nothing I love more than to hide out in my room and do something for myself. Whether that is journaling or playing guitar, having time on my own to recharge and reset is an important coping mechanism for me. 

Q: How has Misophonia impacted your relationships with family or friends?

A: In the beginning, it was hard for my family to not take it personally when I mentioned that they were making my trigger noises. With time, they learned that it’s never personal. It is hard sometimes needing to eat in a different room, or not being fully engaged with a conversation, but in the end, we find other ways to spend time together. 

With my friends, I am lucky that I have a few who totally understand. They spit out their gum before sitting down next to me, refrain from eating around me, and check in on me on those hard days. When making new friends, it's hit or miss if they will understand my disorder, but I always tell myself that people who aren’t willing to accept me for who I am don’t need to stick around in my life. (Honestly, that serves as advice for all teens!)

Q: Teens suffering from Misophonia often face even greater difficulties in relationships with their parents. What advice do you have for any parents or caretakers who might be reading this?

A: My best advice for parents and caretakers would be to not be offended when your teen tells you that you are making a trigger sound. It is never, I repeat, NEVER, personal. There is no need to get defensive, as encouraging self-advocacy is super important.

Creating an environment where your child with Misophonia feels safe and supported is such an important step in supporting them on their journey. I will also say that not being willing to make changes can make your teen feel isolated. It is all about compromises.

Changing habits can be hard, but if you want to support your child, you will need to accept that there will need to be changes. 

Q: Being a teen is challenging even in the best of circumstances. What final words of encouragement would you leave for any teens that might be reading this and feeling a sense of hopelessness?

A: This disorder kind of sucks sometimes. I get it. It is difficult to navigate, and it’s hard to advocate for yourself for a disorder that nobody’s ever heard of.

All that being said, I encourage you to keep your head up. You are so strong, and you can do anything that you set your mind to.

Find the people who accept you, and keep them around. There is support, there is success, and there are great things ahead if you just keep going.

There are always people who want to support you, even if it’s hard to see.

You are loved, and you got this. 

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Links:

Girls Scouts Gold Award: https://www.girlscouts.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/badges-journeys-awards/highest-awards/gold-award.html

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