The Cards I’m Dealt

Since childhood, I’ve struggled with misophonia, an auditory processing disorder that causes emotional distress when I’m exposed to certain sounds. Throughout my life, I’ve not only navigated the negative feelings that result from this state of being, but also the frustrations that come with the process of explaining my experiences to others who may not understand. Studies on the brains structure of those with misophonia have shown that those with the disorder have an increased amount of myelin sheathing on their neurons. It is not confirmed if the excess myelin is caused by misophonia or if it leads to the development of the condition, but this pattern shows that this state of being is biological and there is no known way of permanently changing it. To explain this knowledge of understanding that I must manage what I cannot alter, I composed this piece like a playing card, referencing the phrase “playing with the cards you’re dealt.”