Emmy-nominated actress January Jones has publicly revealed her lifelong struggle with a neurological condition known as misophonia, using her Instagram platform on Thursday to raise awareness and call out a relative for dismissing her experience.
A Lifelong Struggle with Sound
The 47-year-old star, best known for her role as Betty Draper in the acclaimed series Mad Men, explained in a candid video clip that the condition, which triggers extreme discomfort and distress in response to specific sounds, has worsened for her over the years. Misophonia affects an estimated five percent of the US population, equating to roughly 13 million people, and is characterised by a visceral feeling of disgust upon hearing triggers like chewing, throat-clearing, or sniffing.
"For today, I'd like to talk about something that I've been struggling with my whole life, which is called misophonia," Jones shared. She described how the condition goes beyond simple annoyance, framing it as a genuine neurological disability that significantly impacts her wellbeing.
Family Tensions Over a 'Joke'
In a pointed segment of her video, the actress called out her brother-in-law for his repeated and, in her view, unkind behaviour. She revealed that his favourite food is crisps and that he frequently eats them around her despite being aware of her condition.
"I have talked to him about this many times and he seems to think it's funny to eat chips around me now," Jones stated. "Because it's an ongoing joke to see what happens and see what I do. I just think it's really unkind to my issue and also very dangerous for him."
She concluded this thought with dark humour, noting, "So what I didn't do today, was record this video inside a prison. Because I've imagined many ways to do it. But I haven't. I didn't. Not yet." She later wished him a happy birthday in the video, adding a sarcastic, "I hope you're eating a f**k load of chips."
The Science Behind Misophonia
Recent research, including studies from institutions like the University of California, Berkeley and London's Hashir International Specialist Clinics, suggests misophonia is more than just auditory sensitivity. Scientists believe it is linked to specific mental patterns, where individuals have greater difficulty shifting focus away from negative emotions and tend to experience cycles of repetitive, negative thoughts—a process known as rumination.
This mental rigidity means the emotional state provoked by a trigger sound does not easily pass; instead, the mind becomes locked onto it, intensifying the reaction. Importantly, these traits appear specific to misophonia itself and are not merely side effects of broader issues like anxiety or depression.
In the comments on her post, many fans expressed solidarity, with one writing, "I have it too. It’s so hard at times. Really great to hear someone openly talk about it in this way." Another commented on specific triggers, "Omg I can’t stand slurping, repetitive sniffing..it drives me crazy!!"
Earlier this year, January Jones made a rare public appearance with her 13-year-old son, Xander Dane Jones, at a charity event in Laguna Beach, California. The actress has been famously private about the identity of Xander's father, telling The New York Times in 2013 that it was her son's business, not the public's.
Reflecting on single motherhood, the two-time Golden Globe nominee has previously said she feels no pressure to find a partner, telling an outlet, "I just don't feel I need a partner... It would have to be someone so amazing that I would want to make room."
