How does CBT help with T

[Jdaniel123]

I have read some posts where it was said that CBT has helped with T.

Exactly how does this help? How is it used?

Thanks.

[Happyrosie]

I haven’t used it myself but no-one has yet replied to you so here goes.Firstly, if you put CBT into any trustable, that is medical, website and search for it you will see what it’s for.

Tinnitus is a condition that feeds upon you paying attention to it. So that you can cope, your brain needs to habituate. From your research you will see that CBT helps with habituation.

For further reading, the book “Tinnitus, From Tyrant to Friend” available as an Amazon download or to buy, discusses this and other techniques

[doglover1973]

Hi Jdaniel. I've done a short course of CBT and found it very useful. I was stuck in negative thought patterns. CBT helped me look at life differently. That's not to say it's all plain sailing but it's a lot better. As Rosie syas - CBT helps you to habituate in the long term. I think it's the only treatment that gets two green lights from the BTA.

[TinnitusUKPat Partner]

Hi jdaniel

Thanks for your query. I think Rosie's response covers things really well, so I'll try to answer this from a BTA perspective.

My normal suggestion will be to look at the excellent guidance on our website on the merits of cognitive behavioural therapy - tinnitus.org.uk/tinnitus-an....

In a world of spurious miracle 'cures', it is distinguished by having a base of evidence to recommend it as a tinnitus therapy. It's particularly useful as a tool when a major issue someone with tinnitus experiences is associated low mood or depressive thinking - CBT looks to discuss somebody's beliefs or thoughts about tinnitus and see if they hold up to examination.

An example - thinking "this is tinnitus, there's no cure, I'm stuck with it" is pretty common for many people who experience the condition. In CBT, a counselor looks at that statement and might ask you to provide some evidence which supports the belief.

When the evidence for an idea isn't conclusive or is entirely lacking, that can help us to see past the negative thought and think more neutrally about a situation. It's hard for us to stick with an idea once we see flaws in it.

The success of CBT requires anybody pursuing it to be open to it and to participate in the relationship with a therapist - thoughts or ideas being challenged isn't always the most comfortable process, but the outcome is frequently worth the journey to it.

[surreycccfan]

Hi, I did a course of CBT and I found it gave me some excellent tools to help me look at my thoughts and feelings in relation to my T. As those with the condition I think we have all experience the stress/anxiety our T causes from our fight/flight reaction. There are some specific CBTs counsellors for T but the counsellor I saw was just general CBT counsellor.

The counsellor helped me explore how negative thoughts and feelings can trap you in a vicious cycle. You learn tools to help you deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them down into smaller parts. Your shown how to change these negative patterns to improve the way you feel. Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past. It looks for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis.

I found the APPLE model particularly useful in helping how I felt about my T. This tool allowed me to pause, step back, reflect on what I was feeling about my T and reframe in a more positive manner. CBT really helped me moved forward in managing my emotional (fight/flight) response to my T. These type of CBT tools helped me see (and manage/reframe) what type of thoughts I was having about my T and how it was effecting my mood and mental health. I found it a very positive experience and was part of my 'base' on getting control of my T.

I would recommend it especially as you can get this free on NHS if your T is causing you stress, anxiety and/or depressive behaviors.

[Jdaniel123 in reply to surreycccfan]

Thanks guys for all your input.

[Louie04]

Good Day. CBT. Not directly for T. But it’s there as a tool to help with the mental issues it brings upon people who are unfortunate enough to suffer from anxiety and fall into the bracket of people with bothersome T . That’s me 🤔👎

So they say 8 million in Uk with Tinnitus of some sort however when I went past the doctors surgery this morning none of these people are in the queue which suggests the majorly cope perfectly well

That’s leaves the strays and unfortunates me being one that are still scrambling around for answers to something there is none to give .

I have a follow up appointment later today with ENT

He will spend twenty minutes with me getting his over time rate

He will read out my MRI scan results. ( already got over the phone all clear )

He will say as already stated I have mild sensory hearing loss at the high tones but not enough to warrant an ear enhancement .

He will then say well that’s about it big chap

The noise buzz could go but maybe not either curl up and lay in corner or get on with life

Tell me if I am wrong !

So BTA and every other charity or organisation please if your like me and bothered with it reach out and connect if all helps . These people put out time and effort to help

My journey stared on 10 April this year ongoing as I can’t find the habitation date in my diary yet due to my own personal battle with anxiety

Over to you guys and girls for comment etc

Andrew

[doglover1973 in reply to Louie04]

Hi Andrew. This post made me smile. At least you haven't lost your sense of humour! I've yet to go to ENT - 12 months on - but I'm keeping my expectations in check. It seems they're not very helpful. On a serious note I suffered from anxiety (pre troublesome T) and I still do (with troublesome T) . CBT was helpful in changing my thought patterns about T. I don't have a date for habituation either. Wish I did! It's the holy grail for all of us.

[Yogachamp]

HiI have to say CBT is helping me , it’s only early days & I have other stress issues such as recent cancer diagnosis to deal with . But the relaxation & breathing exercises have helped with that & my Tinnitus . I signed up through the Tinnitus website & would certainly recommend it . I can now sleep at night by deep breathing when I get in bed so that alone is helping me.

[Rustreloaded]

CBT will do nothing for the actual tinnitus, just for your attitude towards it i.e. it may help you to live with your tinnitus more comfortably. If BTA were really serious about preventing Tinnitus it would amend its publications to include that T can be caused iatrogenically then perhaps people would be more alert to questioning their GPs about what they are being prescribed, in the meantime drugs like citalopram are still being handed out like sweeties by GPs and there doesn't seem to be any push back or any publicity about how dangerous these drugs are to people who don't want to spend the rest of their lives with Tinnitus for no better reason than the drug companies and their puppets are allowed to get away with it.

[7164]

How do you find a good CBT practitioner who understands T. I live in the Scottish Highlandsthank you

Rod