Learning a painful truth about myself

[markclay2]

After a counselling session tonight, due to ongoing depression/anxiety issues, I realised that tinnitus has changed me into a bad tempered, easily irritable person. I always thought that I was coping with it yet I have let tinnitus change me for the worse, now the fight back begins, tinnitus can’t be allowed to win.

[Angela-H]

Hi Mark, I think many of us would agree with you that tinnitus - hopefully only at the beginning of the journey - changes our personality and not in a positive way. Fortunately, things do get better - though truth to tell, not as good as before getting T - and hopefully with the counselling you will be able to recover your old personality and be able to put the tinnitus where it belongs, at the back of your brain. After over 2 years, I now have more good days than bad and, believe me, I would not have imagined that at the beginning. Best wishes, Angela xx

[ade-the-pade]

Hello Mark, Thank you for sharing that one. I have never met someone who thinks that their lives have been improved by tinnitus. Nor have a met anyone who feels that it has made them calmer and full of the joys of spring.

Start by giving yourself a break and recognition that you have done well not to be in a dark place or pit of despair.

It takes time to get to a place where you are not fighting T but to just accept it. I am 18months into this journey and still at the fighting stage.

I hope that your fightback goes well and you get back to your old self.

Wishing you peace and quiet.

Regards

Ade

[NicBTA Partner]

Hello and welcome to the British Tinnitus Association forum.

Do feel free to ask any questions, I hope that you find this a helpful and supportive place to help you manage your tinnitus.

We have some resources that you might like to check out in addition to our home here:

tinnitus.org.uk

- especially our information on tinnitus and stress, and information about relaxation

takeontinnitus.co.uk

Helpline 0800 018 0527 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) (outside the UK you can call [phone])

Warmest wishes

Nic (BTA Communications Manager and Forum Administrator)

[SteveFeldo]

Hi Mark, I can totally empathise with you. A year ago I found myself being asked by my Dr in all seriousness, whether I was considering harming myself, or worse.

A year on, my Tinnitus is still here, I still have bad days, but it DOES get easier to cope, you will notice it less and it will annoy you less.

You’ll still have bad days, but from a really dark place, I’m almost accepting it as part of me now, sure, I would rather not have it!!

Medication can help cope, it has with me; plus I find my in ear maskers a godsend on bad days. Your audiology dept should be able to help you with these.

Keep your chin up, I can’t guarantee your T will get better, but it will bother you less and dominate your thoughts less as time passes.

Good luck, Steve