The 5-A Plan

How to Respond When Someone Tells You About Their Misophonia, or any Invisible Disorder.

Follow these simple, but powerful, steps to support someone who has informed you of their misophonia, or any other “invisible disorder” such as a mental health or neurological condition.

A little empathy and patience go a long way.

Together we are strong.

 

1•Acknowledge

Validate that their experience is real. It’s important to recognize that you are being trusted with very personal information from another person.

2•Ask

Ask what you can do to help. Ask for more information, if necessary. Be there to listen.

3•Assure

Confirm that you will be mindful of their needs for help and understanding.

4•Accommodate

Do your best to accommodate. Are you being asked to do something that is actually very simple?

5•Advocate

Do your best to be an ally. Advocate and raise awareness. Look out for each other.

It’s important to not minimize, deny, blame, or bully a person about something they didn’t choose. They are the expert on their own experiences and might need your help to be happy and successful in life.