It Will Get Better
I will never forget the night that I first heard it. It was while I was recovering from a recent ear infection, a particularly nasty type called Bullous Myringitis, or so the Dr. told me.
As I was putting my 2 yr old daughter into bed that night, I suddenly realized I could hear a high pitched hissing sound coming from inside the right side of my head, and it wasn't going away. As I listened to the hissing noise, I became gripped with uncontrollable claustrophobia and paralyzing fear which literally brought me to my knees. I can't explain why the Tinnitus impacted me so negatively, but it did.
As a USMC Iraqi War veteran, I thought I was tough and could handle anything. Unfortunately, none of my training, experience or over inflated ego spared me from the waves of crippling panic attacks that ensued that night, and practically daily in the coming months as my mind attempted to co-exist with the insanity that is Tinnitus. I share this with you to tell you that you're not a weak person, nor are you alone if you are suffering from panic attacks and depression from Tinnitus. You are simply going through a recovery process and it will get better. I promise. In fact, you will be a stronger person because of it in the end.
Like you, I went to all the specialists and had many tests done, including an MRI to try to fix the Tinnitus problem. The results from all these tests were all the same - there was nothing that could be done to stop the ringing. Like you, the anxiety, panic attacks and depression increased significantly as I came to the realization that it wasn't going to go away.
If you are at this point in your Tinnitus journey or earlier, I want to stop and say this to you loud and clear.
It will get better.
It's true, that noise in your head may never go away. However, the panic attacks, anxiety and depression can ABSOLUTELY stop. It's called habituation and is defined as "the diminishing of a physiological or emotional response to a frequently repeated stimulus". Habituation will happen on its own and all you need do is focus on staying as healthy as possible until your nervous system adjusts to the ringing in your ears.
In my case, it took approximately 12 months. The below are the steps I took to help speed up the habituation process. Everyone's experience and ability to habituate are different. I only share this information to give you a few ideas for your own recovery journey.
My Habituation Program
Faith
I invested my faith in God and how the Bible teaches that he loves me and has a plan for me, even when I'm suffering and want to quite literally give up. I was able to stay in better tune with Gods plan for me through church attendance, reading the Bible, prayer, listening to Christian music and building friendships with other believers. Ultimately, my faith was the anchor and foundation I relied on to get me through.
Anxiety Medication
I took advantage of modern medicine for handling the panic attacks and anxiety. I went on Xanax and Prozac which worked very well for me and I was able to successfully get off of them in 4-5 months.
Sleeping Aides
Nights are the worst for Tinnitus. I took over-the-counter sleeping pills for the first several months so that I could function at work the next day.
Anxiety Supplements
I went on Amazon and randomly tried this high-review anxiety supplement called L-Theanine by a company called "Sports Research". Quite unexpectedly, after taking this supplement I felt a significant improvement in my anxiety levels. It was almost a miracle cure for me at the time and no, I'm not being paid to promote this product.
Support Systems
I was honest about my challenges with my wife and family and in return, received love and support from them. In fact, I wouldn't have made it through the anxiety without my wife. It is critical that you have someone supporting you if you are suffering from Tinnitus.
Counseling
I met with a counselor weekly for several months. He worked with me on stress management and gave me tools on how to handle anxiety.
Exercise
30 minutes daily.
Hypnosis
I engaged with a Hypnotherapist for 4-5 sessions. I was skeptical about this but it actually ended up providing results and taught me helpful relaxation techniques.
Remove Stimulants
I removed alcohol and caffeine which was making my anxiety worse
While focusing on the above, my anxiety levels and panic attacks slowly dissipated over time. One morning at about the 12-month mark, I woke up and I could physically feel that the anxiety and depression had gone away. It felt like a weight was literally lifted off my body overnight. The ringing was still there, but it wasn't bothering me anymore.
It will get better.
Those were the words my father (and my CEO), who also had Tinnitus for most of his life, shared with me during a particularly difficult day I was having coping with the ringing at work.
Those words gave me hope when I needed it most and I want to offer you that same hope to you as well if you are suffering. It will get better. You will get back to the life you had before Tinnitus. You don't need to give in to the anxiety and depression. Put your faith in God who is sovereign over all things and work a plan to get yourself healthy and It WILL get better.
If you are reading this and would like to talk, don't hesitate to message me directly.
Also, I am not a medical professional and none of this should be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor first. If you are feeling suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
God bless,
Keith
I will never forget the night that I first heard it. It was while I was recovering from a recent ear infection, a particularly nasty type called Bullous Myringitis, or so the Dr. told me.
As I was putting my 2 yr old daughter into bed that night, I suddenly realized I could hear a high pitched hissing sound coming from inside the right side of my head, and it wasn't going away. As I listened to the hissing noise, I became gripped with uncontrollable claustrophobia and paralyzing fear which literally brought me to my knees. I can't explain why the Tinnitus impacted me so negatively, but it did.
As a USMC Iraqi War veteran, I thought I was tough and could handle anything. Unfortunately, none of my training, experience or over inflated ego spared me from the waves of crippling panic attacks that ensued that night, and practically daily in the coming months as my mind attempted to co-exist with the insanity that is Tinnitus. I share this with you to tell you that you're not a weak person, nor are you alone if you are suffering from panic attacks and depression from Tinnitus. You are simply going through a recovery process and it will get better. I promise. In fact, you will be a stronger person because of it in the end.
Like you, I went to all the specialists and had many tests done, including an MRI to try to fix the Tinnitus problem. The results from all these tests were all the same - there was nothing that could be done to stop the ringing. Like you, the anxiety, panic attacks and depression increased significantly as I came to the realization that it wasn't going to go away.
If you are at this point in your Tinnitus journey or earlier, I want to stop and say this to you loud and clear.
It will get better.
It's true, that noise in your head may never go away. However, the panic attacks, anxiety and depression can ABSOLUTELY stop. It's called habituation and is defined as "the diminishing of a physiological or emotional response to a frequently repeated stimulus". Habituation will happen on its own and all you need do is focus on staying as healthy as possible until your nervous system adjusts to the ringing in your ears.
In my case, it took approximately 12 months. The below are the steps I took to help speed up the habituation process. Everyone's experience and ability to habituate are different. I only share this information to give you a few ideas for your own recovery journey.
My Habituation Program
Faith
I invested my faith in God and how the Bible teaches that he loves me and has a plan for me, even when I'm suffering and want to quite literally give up. I was able to stay in better tune with Gods plan for me through church attendance, reading the Bible, prayer, listening to Christian music and building friendships with other believers. Ultimately, my faith was the anchor and foundation I relied on to get me through.
- If you are new to faith, I would recommend you begin with the New Testament booked called the Gospel of John.
- If you are an Atheist, I respectfully ask that you consider researching an old game-theory called "Pascals Wager".
Anxiety Medication
I took advantage of modern medicine for handling the panic attacks and anxiety. I went on Xanax and Prozac which worked very well for me and I was able to successfully get off of them in 4-5 months.
Sleeping Aides
Nights are the worst for Tinnitus. I took over-the-counter sleeping pills for the first several months so that I could function at work the next day.
Anxiety Supplements
I went on Amazon and randomly tried this high-review anxiety supplement called L-Theanine by a company called "Sports Research". Quite unexpectedly, after taking this supplement I felt a significant improvement in my anxiety levels. It was almost a miracle cure for me at the time and no, I'm not being paid to promote this product.
Support Systems
I was honest about my challenges with my wife and family and in return, received love and support from them. In fact, I wouldn't have made it through the anxiety without my wife. It is critical that you have someone supporting you if you are suffering from Tinnitus.
Counseling
I met with a counselor weekly for several months. He worked with me on stress management and gave me tools on how to handle anxiety.
Exercise
30 minutes daily.
Hypnosis
I engaged with a Hypnotherapist for 4-5 sessions. I was skeptical about this but it actually ended up providing results and taught me helpful relaxation techniques.
Remove Stimulants
I removed alcohol and caffeine which was making my anxiety worse
While focusing on the above, my anxiety levels and panic attacks slowly dissipated over time. One morning at about the 12-month mark, I woke up and I could physically feel that the anxiety and depression had gone away. It felt like a weight was literally lifted off my body overnight. The ringing was still there, but it wasn't bothering me anymore.
It will get better.
Those were the words my father (and my CEO), who also had Tinnitus for most of his life, shared with me during a particularly difficult day I was having coping with the ringing at work.
Those words gave me hope when I needed it most and I want to offer you that same hope to you as well if you are suffering. It will get better. You will get back to the life you had before Tinnitus. You don't need to give in to the anxiety and depression. Put your faith in God who is sovereign over all things and work a plan to get yourself healthy and It WILL get better.
If you are reading this and would like to talk, don't hesitate to message me directly.
Also, I am not a medical professional and none of this should be taken as medical advice. Always consult with your doctor first. If you are feeling suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
God bless,
Keith
Member
