In a Constant State of Terror After Reading a Man Wanting Euthanasia Because of Tinnitus

[Francisca]

I remember a story from 2009 that sent me into a tailspin for a while. Essentially, these stories emerge from time to time in the news. I don't know whether it's a good thing to have the media bring much attention to these stories but I can see 2 sides of the coin.

On the one hand it shows that tinnitus can truly be debilitating and deserves a cure. However, these stories often end up in the tabloids and are written in a sensational way. I think that they do little to bring exposure to tinnitus in the scientific community and will not cause researchers to suddenly be swayed and make tinnitus their life's work. I have the impression from the podcasts most researchers are already very devoted to their plight.

On the other hand, these stories can create awareness among the general public but you know how it goes. There are many rare and horrible illnesses and people can read a story about starving children in the third world and move on with their lives right the next minute.
Thinking the general population would feel compelled to donate because of the media exposure is an illusion. Most of the tinnitus sufferers aren't even actively advocating for a cure, or donating. I think this must have to do with the fact that most people having tinnitus that is bad enough to bother them are doing their best to actively ignore anything that reminds them of their tinnitus. The fact that it's an invisible illness doesn't help. Milder sufferers who have been able to overcome their tinnitus are in the majority and create the image that, yes, tinnitus is something that bothers you for a while. If you don't get used to it then you must have mental problems.
That's not to say that these stories shouldn't be published because these things do exist and happen.

In your case, you have most likely become hypervigilant about your longstanding tinnitus because of the euthanasia story. This goes to show that these stories can do harm to people. Of course, time spent worrying about what could happen, but may well never happen, is not worth it. I think in time, you'll be ok again.

All the best!

Thanks for your response... it gives me a little bit hope, because I've been in a very dark place last week... just afraid that I can't get my focus off of it again... but I'm overall depressed... and it gives me anxiety. You think it will pass?

 

[Francisca]

Get yourself a loving cat that will sit upon your lap relaxed, pet the cat and you will see the anxiety and stress fall away.

It's my therapy when I can't get my head around tinnitus. Plus your children will love you for getting a cat.

Haha I have two cats.

 

[Vicki14]

Try to be happy yours isn't so bad, like Allan, he killed himself over tinnitus.

In Loving Memory of Allan1967

That's not very helpful in this thread... when you are in an anxious state about this type of thing... you don't need to see more of it...

 

[Chinmoku]

Hello there,

I'm a single mom from the Netherlands, of two lovely kids.

I have had tinnitus for 18 years and lived perfectly fine with it... unfortunately I read an article about a man who wants to have euthanasia because of it, which triggered me enormously and now I'm in a constant state of terror that this will happen to me too, I just can't get my thoughts off of it... I feel terrible, also for my children..

Will it fade, just like it did before?

I'm taking medicine to help me cope with the panic, so I have to wait how that goes... I can't sleep... just a very anxious and depressed feeling...

xx
Fran

Hi Fran, I would advise to read only the success stories part of the forum for a while. This will help you calm down.

There is the particularly inspiring success story of @billie48 who has overcome great suffering. If there is someone who could have taken the path you fear that is Billie, read his story. His success story is an inspiration for all who do not want to succumb to this condition. Please go through it, it's worth it and it's a type of reading that will totally counter the scary thoughts you are having. Here is the link:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...w-i-recovered-from-tinnitus-hyperacusis.3148/

 

[Francisca]

Hi Fran, I would advise to read only the success stories part of the forum for a while. This will help you calm down.

There is the particularly inspiring success story of @billie48 who has overcome great suffering. If there is someone who could have taken the path you fear that is Billie, read his story. His success story is an inspiration for all who do not want to succumb to this condition. Please go through it, it's worth it and it's a type of reading that will totally counter the scary thoughts you are having. Here is the link:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...w-i-recovered-from-tinnitus-hyperacusis.3148/

Thanks so much. I will read it.

 

[UKBloke]

@Francisca It sounds to me like what you're dealing with right now is general anxiety rather than any worsening of your tinnitus. Don't forget, it's been a very strange year all round with this COVID-19 business. Deep breaths.

 

[Bartoli]

Thanks for your response... it gives me a little bit hope, because I've been in a very dark place last week... just afraid that I can't get my focus off of it again... but I'm overall depressed... and it gives me anxiety. You think it will pass?

I do. You said your anxiety came on because of reading the article. I suggest you let time run its course. If you're sensitive to stories of worsening tinnitus, don't overdo it on this website. It's great, but there's a chance you go down the rabbit hole once you read too much into certain threads. It's not unlike when you go Google for that freckle and half an hour later, you're convinced it's skin cancer.

 

[Francisca]

@Francisca It sounds to me like what you're dealing with right now is general anxiety rather than any worsening of your tinnitus. Don't forget, it's been a very strange year all round with this COVID-19 business. Deep breaths.

Yes you could be right. I'm just anxious and seeking something to be scared of... I hope things will be better... probably will.

 

[Francisca]

I do. You said your anxiety came on because of reading the article. I suggest you let time run its course. If you're sensitive to stories of worsening tinnitus, don't overdo it on this website. It's great, but there's a chance you go down the rabbit hole once you read too much into certain threads. It's not unlike when you go Google for that freckle and half an hour later, you're convinced it's skin cancer.

Thanks... Yes, I do believe things will get better...

 

[Rod McDonald]

Fran, there is a very interesting podcast on this site about how the sound of tinnitus is a predicted noise.

Tinnitus and the Power of Prediction — Dr. Will Sedley

I perform a sort of mental Kegel exercise and this is going to sound a bit weird, but here goes.

This noise is not a real thing. It's like a phantom limb. there is nothing actually there.
I count to 3 and on the 3, I strongly visualise that the noise comes to a halt.
I mentally imagine that it has stopped with all my mental conviction, like a cut thread.

Of course it doesn't completely but I have found that if repeat this again and again eventually things get better.
It somehow strengthens my mind to cope and actually sometimes the noise goes away for a period.
I am not sure if it does or if I am just distracted, but actually that doesn't matter.
The impact is less.

They have done medical studies to show that basketballers actually shoot more free throws if they visualise themselves doing over and over again. The mind is powerful. Being positive is very important. I get depressed from time to time and that is when my tinnitus tends to get on top of me. Use positive words, thoughts and images.

I've also heard very good reports about meditation.
At the seat of this thing is anxiety. Let's appreciate our lives, get stuck into looking after your kids and don't worry over things like news articles.

 

[Rod McDonald]

I've never heard that quote. I love it!

It's something they teach you in driving school.

 

[Francisca]

I remember a story from 2009 that sent me into a tailspin for a while. Essentially, these stories emerge from time to time in the news. I don't know whether it's a good thing to have the media bring much attention to these stories but I can see 2 sides of the coin.

On the one hand it shows that tinnitus can truly be debilitating and deserves a cure. However, these stories often end up in the tabloids and are written in a sensational way. I think that they do little to bring exposure to tinnitus in the scientific community and will not cause researchers to suddenly be swayed and make tinnitus their life's work. I have the impression from the podcasts most researchers are already very devoted to their plight.

On the other hand, these stories can create awareness among the general public but you know how it goes. There are many rare and horrible illnesses and people can read a story about starving children in the third world and move on with their lives right the next minute.
Thinking the general population would feel compelled to donate because of the media exposure is an illusion. Most of the tinnitus sufferers aren't even actively advocating for a cure, or donating. I think this must have to do with the fact that most people having tinnitus that is bad enough to bother them are doing their best to actively ignore anything that reminds them of their tinnitus. The fact that it's an invisible illness doesn't help. Milder sufferers who have been able to overcome their tinnitus are in the majority and create the image that, yes, tinnitus is something that bothers you for a while. If you don't get used to it then you must have mental problems.
That's not to say that these stories shouldn't be published because these things do exist and happen.

In your case, you have most likely become hypervigilant about your longstanding tinnitus because of the euthanasia story. This goes to show that these stories can do harm to people. Of course, time spent worrying about what could happen, but may well never happen, is not worth it. I think in time, you'll be ok again.

All the best!

Oh, so you did also have a similar experience? And you did manage to get out of that, I understand? That gives hope... I'm just in the beginning state, so I guess slowly things will get better.

 

[Francisca]

Fran, there is a very interesting podcast on this site about how the sound of tinnitus is a predicted noise.

Tinnitus and the Power of Prediction — Dr. Will Sedley

I perform a sort of mental Kegel exercise and this is going to sound a bit weird, but here goes.

This noise is not a real thing. It's like a phantom limb. there is nothing actually there.
I count to 3 and on the 3, I strongly visualise that the noise comes to a halt.
I mentally imagine that it has stopped with all my mental conviction, like a cut thread.

Of course it doesn't completely but I have found that if repeat this again and again eventually things get better.
It somehow strengthens my mind to cope and actually sometimes the noise goes away for a period.
I am not sure if it does or if I am just distracted, but actually that doesn't matter.
The impact is less.

They have done medical studies to show that basketballers actually shoot more free throws if they visualise themselves doing over and over again. The mind is powerful. Being positive is very important. I get depressed from time to time and that is when my tinnitus tends to get on top of me. Use positive words, thoughts and images.

I've also heard very good reports about meditation.
At the seat of this thing is anxiety. Let's appreciate our lives, get stuck into looking after your kids and don't worry over things like news articles.

Thanks! I will give that a look. Where can I find that topic?

I also believe that when the anxiety is gone, it will fade again... but it's difficult at the moment.

 

[Rod McDonald]

Francisca, I think that getting onto your anxiety is a very realistic outcome.
You have to understand that many stories on the internet do not tell all the facts.
There is a lot of misinformation.

I saw a hypontherapist once. He made me very relaxed.
He asked me to answer two questions quickly....

"Can you control your mind most of the time?"
Yes, most of the time. I say get dressed, I get dressed. I say relax, and I can relax.

"and...which is stronger, your mind or body?"
The mind. If I run a race, and I want to stop, I can tell myself to keep pushing for 100 more metres and I can do it.
My mind is stronger.

Then he said
"Then, if these facts are true and they are, you can achieve any realistic outcome."

Realistic outcome. I can't be an Olympic wrestler. I can't stop these noises entirely.
But the noises are not real noises. They are like dreams.
It is realistic that I can manage my life to have a bit less stress,
to ignore them most of the time and live a full life. You also can achieve any realistic outcome you wish.
If you want to stop being anxious you will. And in doing so will come back here later, tell others how they did it, and inspire a lot of other single mothers and people with tinnitus.

At the end of the movie " A beautiful mind " the mathematician John Nash admitted that
he still heard voices in his head and saw things that were not there, but chose not to indulge them. I was inspired by this movie and the scene is here.


Hope this helps.