It's in situations like that you feel alone, thinking that all them other people are living cheerful lives with no T. But who knows, perhaps someone there has the same condition.
Oh, and
@Per and to others, I did want to mention this.
I also felt so alone when I first came down with tinnitus, plus had to deal with the terrible anxiety and panic. But then this amazing thing happened. As I decided to talk a little about my tinnitus, and reach out for help, I was shocked to discover so many people had tinnitus and/or severe anxiety -- and I never had known. Here are some of them:
Our long-time photo editor at the newspaper (got T while serving on an aircraft carrier in the Air Force.)
My minister (had T since she was a teenager. She also is an excellent professional musician. How she does it I don't know.)
One of my former students from the high school group I run as a volunteer (had tinnitus since she was a young child. She is getting ready to finish medical school and start her internship soon, and just got married.)
A top inner-ear surgeon and university medical school department head who I went to for a special consultation (had tinnitus since he was a young man and wears hearing aids/maskers in both ears.)
One of the smartest, most competent women I know; she works for the military and speaks multiple languages (had crippling anxiety so severe after the birth of her first child that she had to leave her job for a year and was unable to walk out of her house for months.)
Our entertainment editor, a very upbeat guy and respected professional (got tinnitus suddenly a year ago, following a concert, and also initially had an anxiety reaction. He was a tremendous help to me in my early days).
So remember: We are not alone. Bet you would be surprised how many people you know and respect who have tinnitus and anxiety, and have learned to cope. Don't be afraid to talk about your T. These people can come forward and help you.
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