Hypervigilance Over Sounds Other People MIGHT Make

[Allan1967]

I think it's dawned on me what's wrong with me. Since my tinnitus got worse and in recent weeks seems to react to certain sounds my daily thought patterns are like this:

'I can hear an emergency vehicle siren, is it coming my way'?
'That wine glass on the table is going to get knocked and let out a huge pinging sound'
'There's a bus coming, watch out, it's going to let out that loud hiss'
'That friend of my son is going to slam the car door and take it off its hinges'
'That person passing me in the high street looks like they're about to scream for their mate'
'Look out, they're delivering beer barrels over there'
'My colleague is about to slap a bunch of paperwork down on the desk'

Every thoughts I'm having at the minute are geared to watching my surroundings, scanning for threats and all because I'm worried my hearing will get damaged.

Strange thing is, when I'm in control of these sounds and when I make them I'm ok with them, but when someone else makes them suddenly, violently, unexpectedly out of the blue it's giving me a startle. I'm literally doing a startled shock jump like Shaggy and Scooby-Doo.

Funny thing is, I don't feel anxious. I don't have the typical anxiety symptoms I've experienced before but I realise now I'm on red alert for threats around me.

Does this resonate with anyone? What can I do to eliminate it?

 

[dan]

I think it's dawned on me what's wrong with me. Since my tinnitus got worse and in recent weeks seems to react to certain sounds my daily thought patterns are like this:

'I can hear an emergency vehicle siren, is it coming my way'?
'That wine glass on the table is going to get knocked and let out a huge pinging sound'
'There's a bus coming, watch out, it's going to let out that loud hiss'
'That friend of my son is going to slam the car door and take it off its hinges'
'That person passing me in the high street looks like they're about to scream for their mate'
'Look out, they're delivering beer barrels over there'
'My colleague is about to slap a bunch of paperwork down on the desk'

Every thoughts I'm having at the minute are geared to watching my surroundings, scanning for threats and all because I'm worried my hearing will get damaged.

Strange thing is, when I'm in control of these sounds and when I make them I'm ok with them, but when someone else makes them suddenly, violently, unexpectedly out of the blue it's giving me a startle. I'm literally doing a startled shock jump like Shaggy and Scooby-Doo.

Funny thing is, I don't feel anxious. I don't have the typical anxiety symptoms I've experienced before but I realise now I'm on red alert for threats around me.

Does this resonate with anyone? What can I do to eliminate it?

I feel exactly the same way...

 

[FGG]

I feel exactly the same way...

This seems like a form of PTSD in a way.

 

[dan]

This seems like a form of PTSD in a way.

I behave like that because I know it will make me worse no matter if I do it or somebody else does it.

If somebody slams a car door or I slam it - I'd get worse, but perhaps OP had PTSD.

 

[valeri]

I just hope nobody quotes Allan's post and ask if he's improved

 

[valeri]

I feel exactly the same way...

Me too Dan! It's so mentally draining...

 

[GBB]

I behave like that because I know it will make me worse no matter if I do it or somebody else does it.

If somebody slams a car door or I slam it - I'd get worse, but perhaps OP had PTSD.

I'm new here, and not to be more in, but I believe OP is deceased.

 

[Capstan]

I'm new here, and not to be more in, but I believe OP is deceased.

He used the correct verb tense - had PTSD.