Baylor College of Medicine’s Misophonia Study Causes Confusion Among Sufferers
On their website, “Baylor College of Medicine is a health sciences university that creates knowledge and applies science and discoveries to further education, healthcare and community service locally and globally.”(1) The college has put out advertisements for a study that targets misophonia sufferers. The study involves a 2-hour virtual clinic interview and online questionnaires; and a 2-hour in-person visit which includes a test that measures facial muscle activity while listening to sudden beeps and experiencing an occasional shock on your wrist. The in-person visit takes place in Houston, Tx. Volunteers will receive up to $150 in compensation for participating.
What’s concerning to me is the “shock” portion of this study. While this study is on the wrist, I wonder what the purpose is, and what Baylor will study next? Is the next step going to be electroshock or possibly transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), which is a form of neuromodulation that uses constant, low direct current delivered via electrodes on the head. (2) It’s also possible that they’ll move on to using a modified electromyogram or nerve conduction study. The fact that it’s not clear what exactly is happening is troublesome. There is a contact option, however, for those wishing to reach out about anything. Electroshock, also known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), is a controversial medical procedure that involves sending electric currents through the brain to induce seizures. (3) It is used to treat severe depression and other mental disorders that do not respond to other treatments. However, it can also cause serious side effects, such as memory loss, brain damage, and cognitive impairment.
“Preliminary research on misophonia and the brain should be left to neuroscientists that are specialists in fight-flight and other brain processes. Psychiatrists and other clinicians should not be testing whatever they think might work and using unsuspecting sufferers desperate for a cure to publish whatever papers they want. Whether Baylor is simply shocking wrists or considering more invasive procedures is irrelevant to me. At the end of the day, I am wondering what their goal is. How is this going to help people? Considering Baylor recently put out a paper saying misophonia should not be accommodated, I am wondering what their goal is here. At this point, it feels like ignoring sufferers is part of their research design. At this time, there is not enough information on WHY this study is shocking people, what their aims are, and where they are going next with this line of research. I also wonder if researchers are spending any time consulting people with misophonia and their families before subjecting them to these designs. Researchers are trusted by the general public for being ethical, yet I wonder if they actually are considering the needs of the misophonia population. If not, this is an abuse of the trust of desperate families who simply hope that these “scientists” can help them. ”
– Shaylynn Hayes-Raymond
For people with misophonia, a disorder that causes an extreme reaction to certain sounds, electroshock can be a nightmare. Or, in this case, constant beeping and sudden shocks to the wrist. Imagine being strapped to a bed, unable to move or speak, while electrodes are attached to your body. Imagine hearing loud noises that trigger your misophonia, such as beeping, buzzing, or clicking, throat clearing, sniffing, etc. Imagine feeling intense pain, fear, and anger as the electric shocks jolt you. Imagine not being able to escape or stop the torture.
Why is it horrifying to electroshock people with misophonia?
Electroshocking people with misophonia is not only unethical and inhumane, but it also seems ineffective and harmful. This could worsen it by adding more stress and trauma to an already sensitive brain. It does not respect or understand the nature and causes of misophonia, but rather dismisses and stigmatizes it as a mental illness or a behavioral problem. It does not empower or support people with misophonia, but rather violates and abuses their human rights and dignity.
Electroshocking people with misophonia is not a solution. Electroshocking people with misophonia is not a common or recommended practice, and it could be considered a crime depending on the circumstances. There is no evidence that ECT is effective or safe for misophonia, and it could cause serious side effects such as memory loss, confusion, brain damage, or death. (3)
In most countries, ECT is only legal with the informed consent of the patient or their legal guardian. (3) However, in some situations, doctors can force very ill patients to have ECT without their consent, with the authorization of the courts. This is usually done as a last resort when the patient’s life is in danger or they pose a serious risk to themselves or others. In some states in the US, such as Texas and Colorado, ECT is banned for patients under the age of 16. (4)
Therefore, if someone were to electroshock a person with misophonia without their consent or a court order, it would likely be considered a form of torture or abuse, and a violation of their human rights. (5) Such an act could be prosecuted as a crime under the laws of the country or state where it occurred. However, if the person with misophonia voluntarily agreed to undergo ECT after being fully informed of the risks and benefits, and there was no coercion or deception involved, then it would not be illegal, but it would still be highly unethical and potentially harmful.
If you know someone who has misophonia, please do not subject them to electroshock or any other form of violence or coercion. Do not judge them, mock them, or trigger them. Do not force them, manipulate them, or exploit them. Instead, try to advocate for them. Try to educate yourself and others about their condition and needs. Try to empathize with them, support them, and help them find ways to cope.
I believe this study will just cause undue distress to misophonia sufferers. It may not be using electroshock on participants, but I must reiterate how worrying it is that nothing specific was stated in their flyers.
Misophonia is not a defect. It is a disorder that affects many people around the world. It is not something to fear or hate. It is something to acknowledge and address with compassion and care.
Sources:
1. https://www.bcm.edu/about-us
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcranial_direct-current_stimulation
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcranial_direct-current_stimulation
4. https://staminacomfort.com/is-shock-therapy-still-legal
5. https://cchr.org.au/electroshock-is-torture-but-is-legal-for-all-ages
