Depression

[Dmc75]

Is it normal to have very bad depression when you first get hearing problems I've gone from worried to shaking cold sweats to now full blown panic attacks.

[Jimbob7]

Hi Dmc75.

In a word; Yes. Depression is definitely one of the biproducts of hearing problems - whether it be bourne of reflection on loss, Tinnitus or other physical suffering - all these can leave us depressed AND anxious - panic attacks tend to be the peaks in anxiety as opposed to depression. The pages here are filled with what people have done to alleviate their suffering.

Might I ask - what are the hearing problems you are having?

Broadly speaking the approach is the same for all manner of ills when dealing with anxiety and depression but there are slight differences in managing different types.

I'm sorry this is how things are for you at the moment but rest assured help is at hand.

Best wishes,

Jimbob

(edit; I've just seen your post of earlier so Tinnitus is the main causal factor here.

As I said - much help and advice to be had here as well as in the pages of Tinnitus UK. Hearing aids were transformative for me as they put back the hearing loss I suffered as a result of ana accident. They don't make the Tinnitus go away as asuch but they seem to put distance between me and the T.- that's the transformative elelment for me - the Tinnitus is no longer front and centre - it's in the background.

[Dmc75 in reply to Jimbob7]

Thank you I think very little sleep is my main problem. Even white noise is not helping much.

[Jimbob7 in reply to Dmc75]

Sleep is Numero Uno - in my book. If I sleep well I can take anything on - even the raging T. The minute my sleep goes wrong - the rest of the house of cards of my recovery has its foundations rocked.

Have you spoken to your GP about getting a bit of help with sleep? Temporarily - while you habituate.

Otherwise I recommend Phenergan - it's an OTC anti-histimine but it's also touted as a sleep-aid. I used it in the early days and it does work. It also has midly sedating effects which help greatly with anxiety.

Discuss with either your GP or pharmacist and make sure you're not running the gauntlet with any other medicnes you're taking - if any.

[perlcoder]

In my case actual severe clinical depression / anxiety was delayed long after the onset of T, and when it came I did not identify it as such until I was authoritatively diagnosed. Much had taken place in the intervening years including Stage 4 cancer and successful chemo. I am, however, as certain as I can possibly be that a subsequent worsening of my T so that it deprived me of anything like restful sleep for weeks on end was the determining factor when, as it were, I crashed and burned rather spectacularly. I had no idea that I was depressed even then. The simple fact of an authoritative diagnosis after a 5 minute conversation ("You have severe depression and anxiety" - Really?- "Yes"), brought me back to earth in an instant and a course of Sertraline and backup medication for panic should I need it (I took only a few but it was comforting to have one in my wallet), followed and helped enormously.

I was a reasonably successful professional, well used to other forms of stress, at the time. Lack of sleep, T, and constant worry about it worsening can lay anyone low.

Incidentally, contrary to the experience of some, Sertraline did not make my T worse, nor better, but it helped me through the crisis.

Best wishes

[Dmc75]

My Dr has prescribed sertraline and I will be seeing the mental health team for support you guys are amazing thank you so much for your replies

[horsewhispere]

Hi Dmc75,......

I can certainly sympathise with you. I have pulsatile Tinnitus ( can hear my heart beat in my head constantly...it's thudding as I type) As far as anxiety, depression and panic attacks, I have the same as you. I've been taking antidepressants for years as I had a breakdown some years ago.....but I still get anxiety and the odd panic attack especially when I awake in the morning. Rapid heart beat and anxiety, then fear which then ends up with a panic attack. Fear feeds off itself then becomes worse....having said that I have seen my doctor who prescribed Propranalol which is a type of beta blocker but it prevents the adrenaline which causes the rapid heartbeat from 'going in, all guns blazing' it also lowers the heartrate which keeps the panic from setting in. It's a low dose ..40mg twice a day...but it does the trick for me. Trying to describe tinnitus to people who don't suffer from it is difficult ...2 of my friends have said they think they'd go mad! Well..welcome to our world!!

Anyway Dmc75 ...radio on, tv on and anything else that drowns the thudding is on the menu today. See your doc about the panic attacks..no one should suffer them if you can have meds that alleviate the problem. Everyone here is very knowledgeable and helpful...so offload your concerns and worries..it does help. Try and have a decent day....🤗🤗

[Non-Leaguer]

Sorry to see you are having problems. Try Shokz headphones which link with music on your phone. They go round your neck and play through your cheekbones! I have pulsatile tinnitus and find this masks the sound in my left ear while I can hear normal everyday sounds as distinct from normal headphones clamped over your ears. Best wishes.

[Bbcoach]

When tinnitus first came into my life, I was pretty much in the same way. I didn't know what was going on and after appointments to ent's, audiologists, etc.., I was in worse shape because I was being told "there is nothing you can do about it". This only increased my anxiety and insomnia soon followed. After about a month of only sleeping 2-3 hours a night, I went back to my GP who diagnosed me with depression and prescribed a mild anti-depressant along with a sleep aid. These helped tremendously and I was able to get some rest while still trying to figure out this annoying and intrusive noise in my head. I eventually found a therapist who specialized in CBT. He has helped a lot in dealing with the emotional side of tinnitus. The tinnitus is still there but I feel like I am in a better place to deal with it now. I hope that you find the help that you need. Take care.