You're not imagining tinnitus, but it's true that you could have made it worse (temporarily) by focusing on it when you were surfing the internet. Many of us who have tinnitus do have some hearing loss and/or cochlear hair cell damage in our ears, and it is very real to us. Tinnitus is brain-based, in that your brain may be trying to recreate a sound that your ears cannot hear, if that makes any sense. But there is a physical component to it, as well.
Everyone here has given you good advice --- find a way to get some sleep, be calm and try not to worry, listen to sounds that might help mask your tinnitus sound. You may wish to take a calming drug, such as Remeron, or a natural supplement to help you in the early stages. Many of us have tried gingko biloba without much success. It didn't work for me. Some calming supplements that have worked for me include magnesium, holy basil, and reishi mushroom capsules. These are more subtle than drugs, however, so you might want to start with a prescription drug right now, until you are able to sleep again, and then taper off that in favor of natural supplements.
We all wish you well, and are here to help, with moral support and understanding, plus the benefit of our experience with tinnitus.
Hugs,
Karen