Strength of Mind: Dealing with the Psychological Aspect of Living with Tinnitus

I'm disappointed to say that my tinnitus has come back. I'm collaborating with my doctor and looking for additional resources here on Tinnitus Talk, online, and within the medical community.

Dealing with the psychological aspect of living with this condition is challenging. Have any of you found helpful coping strategies? Have you tried seeing a therapist or found a way to think about or talk to yourself about your tinnitus that helps to reduce fear and anxiety?

Thank you!

 

Yes.

I've been in counseling for more than three years with an audiologist who is also trained in CBT.

This has been very helpful and supportive, and it has provided me with "a toolbox" that I can use for the less good stages of life.

 

Thank you!

How did you find your audiologist with CBT expertise?

 

Hi, @Tom Benemann.

I have very difficult and slightly easier days. What country are you in? For me, I had half a dozen CBT sessions on the NHS. It was slightly helpful, although he had no idea of tinnitus. It's well below par in the UK. No, let me phrase it differently. It's SHITE!

I have Clonazepam to hand. Knowing this has preserved me, reducing my symptoms in less than 24 hours. Other than that, Mirtazapine for sleep and daily low doses of Gabapentin in the day take the edge off. So a sort of low dose combo.

Other than that, knowing that there are things in the pipeline that may help is what gives some hope.

 

There are two specialists locally where I live. I did research to find them. I'm lucky that I got all the expenses covered. You go through a detailed screening and handicap questionnaire to "qualify."

I've had more than 25 sessions so far.

 

So you're struggling with getting to a place of accepting that you're living with tinnitus?

These days, if I'm having the odd bad day (I have/had very reactive fluctuating tinnitus), I know it's a bothersome day. I cannot control my tinnitus at present, but what I can control is what I eat, how I am to other people, and how productive I want to be. So, I focus on the things I CAN control that day.

It's not easy but you will get to a better place with your tinnitus. It took me 18 months from my worsening to see improvement and be in a better place.