My Anxiety Is Getting Worse

[Thelma]

Hi,
I'm 17 years old and I have tinnitus for quite a while now. I don't know when it started but I have it since I was smaller. I don't go to party's, concerts or festivals and I don't listen to loud music. So I thought it couldn't be from noise.

But lately it became louder and had a panic attack about it so my mom took me to our Doctor. He said I should try and not to focus on it because if I focused on it it would look like it was getting louder. He didn't want me to look for a treatment directly cause they would give me medication and that would be good for me cause I'm still so young.

Ever since then I'm completely paranoid about every louder sound, even someone laughing or talking loud gives me anxiety.

I also have the feeling it keeps getting worse. My parents keep saying not to focus on it but I never did. It was always there and I had absolutely no problem with it. Until a couple of months when it became louder and started to disturb my sleep. Maybe I did start focusing on it since my panic attack but still I keep thinking it's getting worse.

Are there any other reasons for tinnitus than only sounds? Something I should be weary about? Because I'm very afraid it will keep on getting louder and affect the rest of my life other than having difficulty falling asleep.

 

[MikeL1972]

Hi Thelma,

Welcome to the site.

First off, it's a pity that you have to deal with tinnitus at such a young age. In your profile, you noted that you have had it since 2008.

Aside from visiting your family doctor, have you also visited an ENT who will evaluate your ears and also your hearing?

Regarding tinnitus, the best way to manage it is not to give in to it. It seems you have done a good job up until now. Thinking and worrying about tinnitus will only feed your anxiety and stress levels, which in turn feeds it. Thus, I would agree 100% with your parents and try not to focus on it.

As for tinnitus becoming louder, I had a spike for a day or so this past week because I did not get a good night's sleep, but now it's back to its normal cricket-chirping sound. It does not bother me and my nervous system does not perceive it as a threat. This is called habituation. If you ignore it and not give into it, it will not be a threat to you. The whole idea is to manage tinnitus so it does not manage you, and that takes some focus and mental discipline! Also, avoid exposure to loud noise. You can do it too. Best of luck!

 

[billie48]

Since your T hit a new level recently and you being so young, it is normal to react with anxiety and panic. Most of us did that. So don't get too worried about your reaction to T. Right now your brain thinks T is a threat. So the limbic system may be taking over and the Amygdalas are processing T ringing with alarm and fear, as it is functioning in the fight or flight mode. The brain is still trying to figure out this alien sound, and because it doesn't understand it, and it can't get rid of it, not even with medicine, then the brain just reacts in shock and trauma. This will take some time and slowly, as Mike puts it, the brain will figure out T is not a threat as you learn to ignore it to live your life. So in the mean time, try your best to stay calm that this is only a bodily function to protect you, but it is misfiring for the wrong thing. T is not a threat to survival. It may be annoying and irritating, but over time due to neuroplasticity the brain can change and adapt to this sound without the negative response. Try to read the success stories to help you stay positive and calm. Learn some helpful strategies from the stories. It will be a matter of time that things will improve and your T may go back to the former level. Take care. God bless your recovery.