Always crying
- Thread starter Neenie
- Start date
MemberI'm pretty sure we all have hearing loss, my tinnitus sounds higher frequency than the standard hearing test that goes only to 8000Hz, so even though I don't officially have hearing loss I'm pretty sure there is a dip there somewhere at 8001-20000Hz.
Yes but you knwo all people experience hearing loss already at a quite young age. Also, if the hearing loss cant be measured with the methods we have available nowadays it is not possible to use these methods as well. I dont think the higher frequency hearing test is that obejctive as well. However in time there will probably better methods t measure it. Also probably it could be that for the treatments it is not important whether you have hearing loss or not.
Is it not possible to measure tinnitus by the activity of hearing nerves? I read on the other tinnitus forum about this guy who visited some belgium tinnitus clinic and they could see the tinnitus as electrical overactivity on the nerves.
Well thats only in topnotch clinics I think. In estonia for example it is not possible. Also I think there is difference between the neurons in the brain and the damage nerves in the cochlear. I dont think it is possible to detect the latter yet, but scientists are working on it. But yes, in our case it is probably a problem of the nerves
Did they find a way to help the guy in Belgium?
Hi Neenie,
In the beginning, I was told that part of successfully managing my t was to change my perception about it.
I didn't think this was possible. I in fact, didn't want to. I just wanted to get rid of it.
Nearly 2 months later, I am not distressed by it. I am enjoying moments through the day ( I am sitting in a quiet room even as I write this), where the t is no longer a constant intrusion. I am aware of the sound Neenie, but it isn't preventing me from living out this day in a way I choose. This is largely because I have faced a fact. I have t. it is with me 24/7. I have accepted it, and I know it wont hurt me. I would rather not have t, but since I do, the only way forward is acceptance. Acceptance isn't giving up. It takes a lot of emotional energy to fight. I am battling another illness concurrently. this has given me some perspective. I no longer feel t is the worst thing that could happen to me.
I never dreamt I would ever come to accept it, but I have. You will too Neenie. And, when you do, you will wonder what all the fuss was about....
The phone counsellor I spoke to with the tinnitus association of Victoria is a godsend. (he himself has t. so severe in the beginning that he didn't think like you, that he could live a normal live with it)
He also told me that there is no reason for my life not to continue as it previously did...
that t wouldn't prevent me from living a normal and quality life. He is right. Though, I didn't believe him at the time!
I looked at the evidence. I know several people (including this counsellor) who are successfully managing their t...they have habituated. My aunty became aware of her t five years ago. She is not bothered by it in the least. She only hears it when attention is drawn to it, and when she can hear it, shes not distressed by it whatsoever. She even went as far as to say that sometimes the sounds amuse her because they sound musical at night.
Since my diagnosis, I have learnt of several people whom I work with or even socialise with who have t. None of them have mentioned it up till now to me because it is such a non issue for them. That is reassuring to me. It should be to you too. I don't know about Germany, but I know the stats here in Australia are 1 in 5 people are aware of their t. (we all have t. not all of us are aware of it)
I have met 4 audiologists with t. Again, a non issue for them too.
Our brains naturally adapt to change. you know that
When I am at work, I sometimes fail to hear monitors or babies crying when I am so engrossed in something else. that is just one example of how the brain can filter noise.
What about the example of a nursing mother; who can sleep through a loud storm, but wake when she hears her baby cryin
www.tinnitus.org.au
above is an excellent website. it describes the four keys to successful management of the t.
I am sure you are well versed on t, but maybe revise the four keys will help reassure you.
I had written more, but ive somehow lost it! damn
Consider CBT?
In short, accept t. The moment you do, you no longer attach a negative meaning to the sound, and your brain will switch off from it. That is what has happened to me.
Get CBT cause your post, whilst understandable, is catastrophic. I think you would benefit from this.
To answer your question, this will go away for you. The t will recede back into the background where it belongs, so that it is no longer an intrusion.
The only noise you should be focusing on is the loud, and well deserved applaud you are going to receive on your graduation day. You are going to make an amazing audiologist, with such insight. You will be such an asset. You are amazing with all that you have endured and survived. You are not a victim. You are a survivor Neenie.
Focus on your dreams. You have a lot to give XXXX
Consider CBT?
In short, accept t. The moment you do, you no longer attach a negative meaning to the sound, and your brain will switch off from it. That is what has happened to me.
Get CBT cause your post, whilst understandable, is catastrophic. I think you would benefit from this.
To answer your question, this will go away for you. The t will recede back into the background where it belongs, so that it is no longer an intrusion.
The only noise you should be focusing on is the loud, and well deserved applaud you are going to receive on your graduation day. You are going to make an amazing audiologist, with such insight. You will be such an asset. You are amazing with all that you have endured and survived. You are not a victim. You are a survivor Neenie.
Focus on your dreams. You have a lot to give XXXX
I dunno. I certainly hope so! Today I tried to do normal things with my day, but I can't. In the back of my mind is always the tinnitus and I can't help but tune in to it. I'm afraid I'll never learn to tune it out. I know all the right things to think. I know all the right things to say. I know all the right things to do. But somehow I can't stop myself from thinking about it every second of the day. I'm so angry at myself that I can't do this. My heart beats fast all the time because I'm so nervous about this ringing. I know it won't do anything to me, but still I'm afraid. I guess I'm most afraid that I'll never learn to tune it out. I'm afraid I'm not smart enough to focus on other things. I'm afraid I'm not smart enough to ignore it. I'm afraid I'll be like this forever
yes neenie,i know ,you say "TODAY i tried to do normal things...." and you couldnt.sure, tomorrow will be a bad day as well,and next week also. even next month.BUT NEENIE ,what im trying to tell you with my last post was:
it is all temporarily!!!!!! you fell bad today. and tomorrow. and next week maybe even worse.but certainly NOT next year! and certainly NOT in 2018 !!!!!we will talk again in 2018, and you will see you will tell me: "suffering,for tinnitus?me?come on!."and you know why you will tell me that? because only TWO things can happen from now to 2018: a) it will be gone completely or b) it will still be there, but WHO still hears it in 2018?who still cares about it even if it is still there in 2018? and NO, there is NO c)! because if you really wanted to end your life because of this ,you would have done it by now! the darkest time (the beginning of all of this) is over and you survived. you suffered, suffered and suffered, but you are still here!still able to comunicate and sometimes even "smile"and "hug" other people in this forum! so you see, all that remains is A) or B) for your future! and?is A) or b) really that bad?
and another thing: do you know sleepphones? i listen to rain the whole night with them on ,they are so grat, a real life saver at the moment, cause my tinnitus started only 5 weeks ago and i try not to hear it NEVER, so day and night i always use this great sleepphones and listen to rain on a tin roof, or rain on a tent ,or the "Just water "file from jim from this forum or even hairdryers and heater sounds! you say you can not mask it-i can not believe that completely-i think you only did not yet find the "right"masking sound yet.if you have a high pitched tinnitus i think low frequency noises like hair dryers will not work-but maybe a hard rain sound?
Thanks man. I know. If I had wanted to kill myself I would have done it by now. I just keep holding on because I think "what if tomorrow is better?" I hope you are right with those situations. And yes you were right, I did think C)! Woo, if you are right, then I can't wait for 2018!!! Also, I think I'm a big drama queen and normal things that aren't significant for others are really important to me. I've probably got it too good and have no perspective
Also, I think I'm a big drama queen and normal things that aren't significant for others are really important to me. I've probably got it too good and have no perspective
Fear is disabling. You will know that whilst you maintain fear of your sound/s, the more attention your brain will give it. Go to Dr Stephen Nagler's website Neenie. He has some helpful tips. He recommends doing precisely what your anxiety and depression tell you not what to do. So, if your t is telling you 'you cant go out and enjoy yourself, then do just that! ' Your habituation will happen...whether you try to or not! It is not dependent upon you. But, your anxiety and negative self talk is not helping your brain switch off from the noise, and I am sure it isn't helping you relax back into your life.
That is why I suggested cognitive behavioural therapy for you Neenie.
It will help you.
I do hypnotherapy with a therapist. That is helpful also.
Try it please
We are all here for you. x
i AM right with those situations,cause i dont see D). do you? worst case was C ) and as i see we both agree that this was, is and WILL NOT BE the way to go BECAUSE tomorrow-sorry,forget it-no, not tomorrow!-but next year will be great again!and if not next year, our 2018 for sure! so, even if you loose some years now for suffering-lets say two for example-who cares if there are Soooooo many years left to enjoy life? you are NOT 90 years old -cause if you were then yes i would have to tell you "oh poor neenie,look what she has to go through in her last,final days".
but stop-this does not mean that i do not feel your pain today.but these are no empty words-i will never forget you because i really have seen so many of your posts and they made me cry-thats why i really want to know how your 2018 will be!. so please-do not just leave here one day and we all dont know what happened to you ok?
but stop-this does not mean that i do not feel your pain today.but these are no empty words-i will never forget you because i really have seen so many of your posts and they made me cry-thats why i really want to know how your 2018 will be!
. so please-do not just leave here one day and we all dont know what happened to you ok?
Neenie,
I wanted to add that you were instrumental in giving me perspective re tinnitus and living life.
I owe you big time for your support and positive words. I am in awe of your achievements and aspirations. Don't you dare give up!
I wanted to add that you were instrumental in giving me perspective re tinnitus and living life.
I owe you big time for your support and positive words. I am in awe of your achievements and aspirations. Don't you dare give up!
yes,neenie, deb is right,cognitive behavioural therapy would be PERFECT for you,i did it once for 6 months when i had general anxiety disorder and it heeeeeeeeeelped. and please-stop all this meds-1 or 2 are enaugh!one antidep.in the morning and one sleeping pill in the evening-NOT one pill more!!!!!!!!!!!
wow,neenie,read this thing with the umbrella lol,he is so right:
http://www.tinnitus.org.au/Management/Perception.aspx
http://www.tinnitus.org.au/Management/Perception.aspx
Thanks guys. Your support mean a lot to me. More than anyone that is in my life has ever been able to give me. I do really appreciate your generosity and kind words and I think about all you guys a lot. I guess I'm just a slow learner, but perhaps the key is that I'm still a learner. Not someone that is incapable to learn. I don't have high hopes for myself but it means a lot to me that you all do. You manage to boost my confidence and I'm sorry if all my posts are the same every day. I guess I just need someone to tell me every day that it's going to be ok. So thank you all very much for helping me out all the time!
Deb and Michela are offering excellent advise to you, Neenie. Those are wonderful suggestions which will help you. I salute them for such wisdom given that they are relatively new to tinnitus. Just wonderful posts. I wish I had that much wisdom when my T was that new. Thank you for sharing those insights.
Hi Nina, just read all your posts and I'm convinced that in your case tinnius is just a temporary reaction to all the massive amounts of stress and anxiety you've been under with all those hospital stays etc. You are obviouly a very sensitive person but also very bright. I think you need to concentrate on dealing with the anxiety and the tinnitus will sort itself out. When I took antidepressents the t volume was just the same but I couldn't have cared less so it proved that anxiety was the problem. I'm now dealing with stuff from the past and it took me years to admit that the tinnitus was not the problem but a symptom. I'm sure it's the same for you.
Don't beat yurself up for not being able to ignore the noise. Your autonomic nervous system is in full flight or fight mode and you could no more ignore the t than you could ignore a charging bull. It takes time and you'll do it bit by bit.
I sent you another reply but it's somewhere earlier in these posts....I'm not very good at this!
Don't beat yurself up for not being able to ignore the noise. Your autonomic nervous system is in full flight or fight mode and you could no more ignore the t than you could ignore a charging bull. It takes time and you'll do it bit by bit.
I sent you another reply but it's somewhere earlier in these posts....I'm not very good at this!
Hmmm, yer, interesting theory. I have read that the difference between people that suffer from tinnitus are people that are anxious. I know that many people have tinnitus but for them it's not an issue. Anxiety and fear are the main differences between these people, not the severity (in terms of loudness) of tinnitus. Yer, mental hospitals are not a great deal of fun. This last year had been a very good one which I was just so disappointed when tinnitus arrived. I thought that finally things were looking good, and then before I could enjoy life, things were bad again. I have this crackling noise in my tinnitus ear every time I swallow so I still think there is something physically wrong, not just psychologically. Never mind, I'll just have to learn to live with it because I don't really have another option!
mine is physical ,too. both my doctors are completely convinced. two months ago i had a prolapsed disc in my cervical spine and therefore a lot of pain. in my neck and shoulders and this pain made my muscles in my neck very very stiff and narrows some vessels and reduces blood flow to the auditory system in the brain. look at my picture here, this was me after they discovered the prolapsed disc in the MRI.
man, that thing was a hell machine.
thats why i do not have the typical tinnitus, it is very soft, but in both ears. it sounds like electricity a bit or chirping crickets,but soft.and it changes volume as soon as i press muscles in my neck or when i lay down with my head i can count to five and i know it will get louder again cause i guess the vessels and the blood flow inside them changes when i lay down. so the thing is clear my doctors are right,mine is a "muscle tinnitus". and your clicking makes my really think this is a cervical spine or jaw problem.but the most important thing neenie: in our case, sooner or later it WILL go away. or a doctor will find the definite cause or it will go away on its own. we both dont have that "oh, its 6 months now its chronic thing", you know what i mean? as soon as the physical cause is ok again, tinnitus will go,even after years! cause remember, its a sympton from an UNDERLAYING llness. as soon as the illness goes, all symptoms-and yes, even tinnitus-go! the first chiropractor in 1875 healed a man that was deaf on one ear with one single chiropractor treatment. that man had problems with c1-c2 in his cervical spine and was deaf because of that!for 17 years !!!! and after the chiropractors treatment which was only a few seconds long he could hear again-after 17 years, immediately- and this was 1875. would be ridiculous if we can not solve our problems in 2014.
but another thing neenie-in the us its a bit a problem with health insurance, i know. do you have one?i mean, do you have to pay for every doctors visit and treatments or do you have a good insurance?cause if you do, go to all doctors until you find the cause!!!!here in germany its simple: everyone has health insurance,if you work or not, if you re german or from africa, if you re poor or rich. if you cant afford it on your own,the german state pays it for you.this is a good thing here, dont know why it has to be so complicated in the usa.
so have you been to the dentist to check the jaw`? checked the cervial spine?ent?
man, that thing was a hell machine.thats why i do not have the typical tinnitus, it is very soft, but in both ears. it sounds like electricity a bit or chirping crickets,but soft.and it changes volume as soon as i press muscles in my neck or when i lay down with my head i can count to five and i know it will get louder again cause i guess the vessels and the blood flow inside them changes when i lay down. so the thing is clear my doctors are right,mine is a "muscle tinnitus". and your clicking makes my really think this is a cervical spine or jaw problem.but the most important thing neenie: in our case, sooner or later it WILL go away. or a doctor will find the definite cause or it will go away on its own. we both dont have that "oh, its 6 months now its chronic thing", you know what i mean? as soon as the physical cause is ok again, tinnitus will go,even after years! cause remember, its a sympton from an UNDERLAYING llness. as soon as the illness goes, all symptoms-and yes, even tinnitus-go! the first chiropractor in 1875 healed a man that was deaf on one ear with one single chiropractor treatment. that man had problems with c1-c2 in his cervical spine and was deaf because of that!for 17 years !!!! and after the chiropractors treatment which was only a few seconds long he could hear again-after 17 years, immediately- and this was 1875. would be ridiculous if we can not solve our problems in 2014.but another thing neenie-in the us its a bit a problem with health insurance, i know. do you have one?i mean, do you have to pay for every doctors visit and treatments or do you have a good insurance?cause if you do, go to all doctors until you find the cause!!!!here in germany its simple: everyone has health insurance,if you work or not, if you re german or from africa, if you re poor or rich. if you cant afford it on your own,the german state pays it for you.this is a good thing here, dont know why it has to be so complicated in the usa.
so have you been to the dentist to check the jaw`? checked the cervial spine?ent?
- Dec 24, 2013
- 933
- Tinnitus Since
- (1956) > 1980 > 2006 > 2012 > (2015)
- Cause of Tinnitus
- Ac. Trauma & Ac.Trauma + Meds.
Neenie...
If you have read any of my profile you will know that I have had tinnitus for 58 years and mostly led a brilliantly cool life. It only really became a hassle in 1980 when I was 30 (= the second increase in volume due to loud construction/demolition I was helping with). Before that I could only hear the ringing in a quiet room or the like. Now I could hear it all the time. I was a mess! I wore ear-muffs a lot and my kids learned they could NOT scream (poor things - but they survived!). However, 5 years later I was running a department for a major California winery and was in hugely social settings, on TV, radio, press, speaking at crowded events, etc. even with the tinnitus...it does ease and one does adapt. Of course I never drove big equipment and stuff without ear-muffs, etc. and always backed out of loud sound areas for up to 10 years, then could even handle loud dance music. (I started doing modern dance at age 42 - It was a blast!) Tinnitus was not ruling my life though I could indeed hear it if I for a moment concentrated on it in any normal sound environment.
Then in 2006 I got SEVERE increase in tinnitus AND now added Hyperacusis from ototoxic medications. This was much, much worse than what I had before. I was devastated and severely handicapped by it for nearly three years. I could not drive in a quiet car on a smooth freeway without earplugs in it was that bad. I hid away and hardly went out. I had no life...but, like before it slowly eased off though the ringing remained VERY loud...This may sound crass and insensitive, but 'plain tinnitus' without hyperacusis is 75% easier to deal with and live with. Hyperacusis is a killer as it adds huge amounts of fear and anxiety to the mix, as you FEEL you are taking damage so easily. It's very tough...But like before, despite the incredible volume levels of the tinnitus, the hyperacusis eased off about 5% per year and I started to get my life back. By 2012 I was indeed "back"! Creative, writing, choreographing, happy, involved, travelling all over the world - all that cool stuff. Even (at 62) dancing again! It was fantastic....So life does come back! I promise you. (I will send you something privately in a 'conversation' to show what can be achieved).
I have now been there FOUR times, as 10 days after what I sent you I got a fourth jump up in tinnitus...to even louder levels! I was so incredibly cruel and lethal...as I had been though so much to regain my life and it was trashed again. This time I was very near suicide for at least 6 months. Very, very close.
Yet once again, I am slowly adapting despite the tinnitus being louder than anything anywhere (except a waterfall or bath running very close by). Maybe I will get creative again...I think my dance days are over which is the biggest loss (as you will see). I loved that more than almost life itself. But...I'm still here.
You are younger (heal faster) and have not had tinnitus that long...your future is OPEN!!! Plus "they" may actually find a cure in the next 5 years.
Keep going! Crying is good! You have support from someone who really cares about you...what a blessing, as I have not really even had that for the most part. You appear to me to be a wonderful, beautiful and dynamic person who has overcome some intense obstacles already in life. You have support in this group.
YOU CAN DO THIS!!!
Take gentle care, Michael
If you have read any of my profile you will know that I have had tinnitus for 58 years and mostly led a brilliantly cool life. It only really became a hassle in 1980 when I was 30 (= the second increase in volume due to loud construction/demolition I was helping with). Before that I could only hear the ringing in a quiet room or the like. Now I could hear it all the time. I was a mess! I wore ear-muffs a lot and my kids learned they could NOT scream (poor things - but they survived!). However, 5 years later I was running a department for a major California winery and was in hugely social settings, on TV, radio, press, speaking at crowded events, etc. even with the tinnitus...it does ease and one does adapt. Of course I never drove big equipment and stuff without ear-muffs, etc. and always backed out of loud sound areas for up to 10 years, then could even handle loud dance music. (I started doing modern dance at age 42 - It was a blast!) Tinnitus was not ruling my life though I could indeed hear it if I for a moment concentrated on it in any normal sound environment.
Then in 2006 I got SEVERE increase in tinnitus AND now added Hyperacusis from ototoxic medications. This was much, much worse than what I had before. I was devastated and severely handicapped by it for nearly three years. I could not drive in a quiet car on a smooth freeway without earplugs in it was that bad. I hid away and hardly went out. I had no life...but, like before it slowly eased off though the ringing remained VERY loud...This may sound crass and insensitive, but 'plain tinnitus' without hyperacusis is 75% easier to deal with and live with. Hyperacusis is a killer as it adds huge amounts of fear and anxiety to the mix, as you FEEL you are taking damage so easily. It's very tough...But like before, despite the incredible volume levels of the tinnitus, the hyperacusis eased off about 5% per year and I started to get my life back. By 2012 I was indeed "back"! Creative, writing, choreographing, happy, involved, travelling all over the world - all that cool stuff. Even (at 62) dancing again! It was fantastic....So life does come back! I promise you. (I will send you something privately in a 'conversation' to show what can be achieved).
I have now been there FOUR times, as 10 days after what I sent you I got a fourth jump up in tinnitus...to even louder levels! I was so incredibly cruel and lethal...as I had been though so much to regain my life and it was trashed again. This time I was very near suicide for at least 6 months. Very, very close.
Yet once again, I am slowly adapting despite the tinnitus being louder than anything anywhere (except a waterfall or bath running very close by). Maybe I will get creative again...I think my dance days are over which is the biggest loss (as you will see). I loved that more than almost life itself. But...I'm still here.
You are younger (heal faster) and have not had tinnitus that long...your future is OPEN!!! Plus "they" may actually find a cure in the next 5 years.
Keep going! Crying is good! You have support from someone who really cares about you...what a blessing, as I have not really even had that for the most part. You appear to me to be a wonderful, beautiful and dynamic person who has overcome some intense obstacles already in life. You have support in this group.
YOU CAN DO THIS!!!
Take gentle care, Michael
Hi @Neenie I haven't been in this thread as yet because I thought this was an old thread for some reason but once I started reading I couldn't not reply.
You remind me so much of myself and we seem to share the same feelings about T and how we react to it.
I'll be brutally honest here - I'm 6 months in and still struggling. Longest 6 months of my life. Still thinking about T hundreds of times a day. I wake in the middle of the night and my first thought is "how loud is it? Where is it?" And it's always there. Still ringing away
I get so frustrated that it intrudes on everything - watching movies, reading stories to my kids, laying down and watching a movie. And even if I can't hear because I'm in a noisy situation I'm concentrating on NOT hearing it. I freak if I forget my supplements and worry if I have a bad nights sleep. Everything seems to remind me of my T.
I get panicked if I need to go somewhere - visit someone who has a quiet house, a doctors waiting room, or even on holidays because I don't know what the volume will be like in those places.
And the worry ... Oh gosh, that is the worst - it's like I'm waiting for it to get worse
I'm cranky with myself that I haven't habituated yet. It's like it's my nature - I obsess about things, stress about everything and imagine every single scenario in my head for every situation. I want to constantly fix things, and I've always been a perfectionist. And T is something I can't fix and that makes me feel so out of control.
BUT ... A tiny tiny part of me knows I'm making some progress. Tiny tiny baby steps that seem slower than everyone else but a little part of me knows that I can do this. Slower maybe, but I still believe that I can get some relief.
I still mask whist sleeping and mask of a day - I listen to audiobooks or music on my iPhone which I carry from room to room with me - like ALWAYS with me! But you know what? Last week I realised that I'd gone into my sons room to put his shoes away WITHOUT my phone. I'd visited the bathroom WITHOUT my phone. I put my daughter to bed last night WITHOUT my phone. And in those moments I didn't really notice my T.
Yes, it may have only been for a few seconds but baby steps.
Don't pressure yourself. I think that's part of what's making things worse for you. Let it be a natural process at your pace not someone else's.
I'm going to take so e of that advice myself too. And my inbox is always open if you need to vent xxx
I haven't been in this thread as yet because I thought this was an old thread for some reason but once I started reading I couldn't not reply.You remind me so much of myself and we seem to share the same feelings about T and how we react to it.
I'll be brutally honest here - I'm 6 months in and still struggling. Longest 6 months of my life. Still thinking about T hundreds of times a day. I wake in the middle of the night and my first thought is "how loud is it? Where is it?" And it's always there. Still ringing away
I get so frustrated that it intrudes on everything - watching movies, reading stories to my kids, laying down and watching a movie. And even if I can't hear because I'm in a noisy situation I'm concentrating on NOT hearing it. I freak if I forget my supplements and worry if I have a bad nights sleep. Everything seems to remind me of my T. I get panicked if I need to go somewhere - visit someone who has a quiet house, a doctors waiting room, or even on holidays because I don't know what the volume will be like in those places.
And the worry ... Oh gosh, that is the worst - it's like I'm waiting for it to get worse
I'm cranky with myself that I haven't habituated yet. It's like it's my nature - I obsess about things, stress about everything and imagine every single scenario in my head for every situation. I want to constantly fix things, and I've always been a perfectionist. And T is something I can't fix and that makes me feel so out of control.
BUT ... A tiny tiny part of me knows I'm making some progress. Tiny tiny baby steps that seem slower than everyone else but a little part of me knows that I can do this. Slower maybe, but I still believe that I can get some relief.
I still mask whist sleeping and mask of a day - I listen to audiobooks or music on my iPhone which I carry from room to room with me - like ALWAYS with me! But you know what? Last week I realised that I'd gone into my sons room to put his shoes away WITHOUT my phone. I'd visited the bathroom WITHOUT my phone. I put my daughter to bed last night WITHOUT my phone. And in those moments I didn't really notice my T.
Yes, it may have only been for a few seconds but baby steps.
Don't pressure yourself. I think that's part of what's making things worse for you. Let it be a natural process at your pace not someone else's.
I'm going to take so e of that advice myself too. And my inbox is always open if you need to vent xxx
Thanks guys so much for replying. I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it. Once I have read through your stories and I turn my computer off for the night I always feel really hopeful that I'll somehow make it. I don't know how, and I still am highly doubtful that I will, but there's a little spark in me that thinks maybe I can do this! So thank you! <3
