Depression

[Peejayache]

Hi I have had T for about 3 years and around the same time I developed depression for which I'm on Citalopram. I have no other reason to be depressed and constantly question why I am depressed. Is it a common result of T?

[lemons77]

I feel exactly the same.....I got to a point where i wasn't sure if T brought on the depression or the other way round. I think unfortunately due to the nature of T it makes us miserable and actually pretty anxious too which all feeds into causing depression. It's hard and it takes time but we will feel better ! I have had T for 6 years and in that time i've had several bouts of deeper depression but I've also had periods of feeling good too so there is definitely hope. If you feel it's getting too much please speak to a GP and maybe refer yourself for some talking therapy. When you speak to a therapist you can make it clear that the T is causing you to feel depressed so that you can hopefully focus more on techniques to manage the T rather than generic CBT (which i have mostly found not that useful). Good luck, I'm here for you xxx

[lemons77 in reply to lemons77]

Oh just to say I'm also on SSRI....was on Citalopram for 9 years then came off it as think (?) it stopped working so now i'm on Escitalopram for 18 months so far....i feel like i need more tho, or perhaps something else!

[Peejayache in reply to lemons77]

Thank you lemons77. That is really reassuring. I also tried a CBT course on line through BTA but it wasn't right for me. Yes, I might try to change my meds because they don't seem to do much. For me the depression is the worst aspect of T, particularly in the early hours. During the day the T doesn't really bother me.

Overall, hopefully I will stop wondering what else in my life causes it.

[msspinner in reply to Peejayache]

Yes, definitely ask for a different medication if the one you are using now doesn't seem to be doing its job. I changed from Citalopram to Sertraline and its made a massive difference 😊

[Peejayache in reply to msspinner]

Hi msspinner I also recently changed from Citalopram to Sertraline. About how long did it take before you really felt the benefit?

[msspinner in reply to Peejayache]

About a month, I think. How are you feeling now?

[Bellyboo in reply to msspinner]

Hi. I’ve been given sertraline by my GP . Does it work?? I’m reluctant to start as one of the common side effects states ringing in the ears !!!

[msspinner in reply to Bellyboo]

Yes, I had to laugh when I saw that particular side effect. My T has stayed the same since I've been on sertraline, thank goodness, though 😊.

[Peejayache in reply to msspinner]

Hi Yes I saw that side effect too. I've been on it for 4 weeks and my T is just in one ear and is pretty much the same as before. The jury is still out on its effectiveness.

[msspinner in reply to Peejayache]

🙏

[Peejayache in reply to msspinner]

Thank you msspinner, hopefully ok.

[Happyrosie]

There’s a book “Tinnitus: From Tyrant to Friend” by a doctor, named Julian Cowan Hill, which I think might help you, Peejayache. Because the more you wonder about T the more the T likes it, and the book shows ways you can help yourself.

[Peejayache in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you Happyrosie I will certainly look that out. You're right, T tends to "pull you in" which just makes it worse. Anything that can break that is a real plus.

[Beagleears]

Hi sorry to hear you are suffering bouts of depression. I think T causes a mixture of stress anxiety and depression it can be a vicious cycle to fall into. All you can do is look after yourself as much as possible eat well stay hydrated and do things you like to do and try to get through it. There are no easy options its really hard work sometimes. I walk a lot and spend a lot of time outside as I have a large garden aswell which keeps me busy. I practice relaxation/meditation techniques every day. A 20 minute morning session and at night if I'm having trouble sleeping a technique called yoga nidra. There are loads of these techniques on you tube you can try for free. I also have done CBT in the past but didn't find it that great. I try not to think about T too much by keeping busy doing things I enjoy some days that's easy some days it's difficult. We are all different and have to try out techniques that appeal to us and when you find something that works stick with it. I know it's hard to find a balance but you will find your own way through it take care.

[bournville]

Hi sorry to hear you’re struggling like this.

I can thoroughly recommend the following book it is used in the NHS as a fundamental tinnitus & depression tool. Get the version of the book that comes with the CD. The cd contains several guided meditations which will help you through your depression. I completed an 8 week NHS course based around the book and it changed everything for the better - hope it does for you too.

The book is called “The Mindful Way through Depression” by Jon Kabbat Zinn

[Pnut1]

Hi Peejayache Welcome to the forum, and well done for posting about depression, you'd be surprised how many people suffer in silence!

Tinnitus can and DOES bring on anxiety and depression, I’ve seen it, I’ve suffered it, I’ve got it, as have you, unfortunately.

What “Non-tinnitus people” can’t understand is just how awful it is to have these noises in your head all the time, and for you, it’s been over 3 years now without silence.

I don’t know about you, but I actually get jealous of people that don’t have tinnitus?

What is happening to our bodies is, that it feels like an outside noise in our ears, and when it gets worse feels like it is even getting in our heads, I don’t know about you, but I feel like screaming? Do you want to know what I do? I do it! I shout I scream, I even cry every now and again, it really does relieve the stress.

Are you trying to alleviate the tinnitus with other noises? Like white noise? If not, look into a noise generator. Or Look on YouTube and search for “tinnitus sound therapy” there are some great sounds that help to alleviate the tinnitus.

If you need any help with this side of things please ask.

Finally, with the depression, please please please, talk talk talk.

Either a friend, family member, see your GP and ask for help, or go to an organisation like Samaritans, you can call them on 116 123 free from ANY phone, or you can email them at [e-mail] and get a reply within about 24 hours apparently, search Samaritans online. There are also some groups on Facebook, just search “depression” then filter groups and have a look. The main thing with depression is to talk.

Also, get out, walk, exercise, join some hobby or activity groups or similar maybe?

Anything else please please come back and ask, either in this message or a new one

Please take care, all the best

[Graham-E]

This is a good question as I also suffer from depression and think my T caused it. On darker days I think I was depressed and that caused my T which I know was not the case. This is because my T was caused by a virus.I think both depression and T are super hard to deal with and together, WoW days can be hard. Be kind to yourself and take care.

[Peejayache in reply to Graham-E]

Thank you all for your replies and helpful suggestions. Since my T and depression started I've had an MRI scan, hearing test which showed a loss of high frequency sounds in the affected ear and the prescribing of a hearing aid. This improved the hearing but did nothing for the T. I've also had an examination for a TMJ with negative results.The inevitable conclusion is that I just have to learn to live with it, like everyone else. But as you sufferers know, any non-sufferer of T and/or D can never understand what they feel like and do to you. At times like a drill inside your head.

So thank you all for your support and I will continue to find the way that works for me. I am determined.

[Rustreloaded]

Depression can be situational - take away the external cause of the depression e.g. bad housing, difficult work situation etc and the depression is likely to ease or with causes that can't be taken away such as bereavement the depression may ease as the stages of grief progress towards acceptance but clinical depression often has no cause external cause. Please seek help for the depression but also let your GP know that you have tinnitus and that you are wary of taking Citalopram or other SSRIs. My tinnitus started suddenly nearly 4 years ago, I believe, as a result of taking Citalopram - difficult to prove as the stress that I was under at the time can also cause tinnitus although I'd been stressed for well over a year at that time and it was only when I doubled my Citalopram dose, as directed, after the initial 14 days of half dose, that I woke up with tinnitus 3 days later. I tried to analyse what had changed for me which might have caused the tinnitus and that lead me to read the precautions leaflet that came with the Citalopram - and there it was as one of the potential side effects. So I did the sensible thing and went to my GP who told me that Citalopram doesn't cause tinnitus, when I insisted that it can she checked her MIMS and, I quote, said "Oh"! So please don't trust your GP to know what's what on all occasions - do your own research, go in and ask the questions you need to ask but be prepared to discuss and challenge when necessary if your research suggests that your GP isn't as well informed as you - remember what the "G" stands for! Maybe ask to discuss other medications or non-medication treatment / therapies. IMHO, yes, tinnitus may cause depression, certainly indirectly as it can cut you off socially or impact on your ability to enjoy social activities and that in itself can cause depression.

[Suz_2]

i developed 'severe' T last Aug - and its been a very bumpy ride - yes, I have had depression and huge anxiety many, many times with this condition , but NOT all of the time , and a lot of the time i am calm and coping. I havent take any meds for this as i think some meds can adversely affect the tinnitus and anyway u have to taper off after a few months and manage without , and there is also the challenging withdrawal process - so for me i just accept the ups and very difficult downs of it - I do realise that some people with very severe symptoms do need these meds but if u can ride out the depression at the start, then yr brain can get used to depression and anxiety and sort of balances it out - I really dont believe that taking anti-dep/anx meds over very long term is helpful