Misokinesia: The Little-Known Condition Disrupting Lives of One Third of People
A recent wave of scientific research has brought attention to a previously little-known condition called misokinesia—an aversion to the sight of others’ repetitive movements—which is now estimated to affect nearly one in three people worldwide. Emerging evidence indicates that this visual sensitivity is as pervasive as it is misunderstood, profoundly influencing social interactions and mental well-being, including within Thai society.
Misokinesia, a term translating literally as “hatred of movement,” refers to the strong negative emotional responses—ranging from mild annoyance to intense psychological distress—that some individuals experience when witnessing small, repetitive movements performed by others. Examples include finger tapping, leg bouncing, pen clicking, fidgeting with objects, chewing motions, or nervous tics (Futura Sciences). While the concept may be unfamiliar to the general public, new research led by psychologists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and published in Nature/Scientific Reports in 2021 has shown it is far from rare.