Why should Tinnitus or Misophonia patients (and families) seek therapy (with a CBT or DBT therapist who understands these conditions)?

  • Therapy can validate the reality of your experience:
    • No, you are NOT crazy or mentally ill
    • No, it is not “all in your head” (well, it IS, but not just in your imagination)
  • Therapy can help you learn stress reduction techniques
  • Family therapy can help your family cope with the stress of these conditions
  • OTHER THERAPY ISSUES WITH TINNITUS AND MISOPHONIA
    • Issues tend to compound
    • Anxiety
    • Stress
    • Leads to reliance on medications
    • Why me?
    • Family disbelief
    • Family upset
    • School/Work/Home problems
    • Feel like you are “going crazy”
    • Becoming isolated
    • Possible self-injury
    • Suicidal Thoughts

What are common psychological problems with Tinnitus and Misophonia?

  • Tinnitus and Misophonia lead to stress, worry and anxiety
  • Tinnitus and Misophonia become WORSE when stressed, worried, or anxious
  • Tinnitus and Misophonia affect sleep
  • Tinnitus and Misophonia damage relationships
  • Tinnitus and Misophonia create tension, depression, irritability, and/or anger/rage
  • Tinnitus and Misophonia can lead to feelings of Panic Disorder
  • Tinnitus and Misophonia lead often to avoidance & isolation

How can CBT/DBT help people with Tinnitus or Misophonia?

  • CBT/DBT can help you learn to ignore or decrease your awareness of irritating sounds
  • CBT/DBT can help you learn to manage your emotional reactions
  • CBT/DBT can help you learn to calm your arousal system
  • CBT/DBT can help you develop better emotional self-regulation skills
  • CBT/DBT can help you create “space” to respond vs react to irritating sounds

CREATING A SPACE (Victor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning, 1946)

    • Between stimulus and response there is a space.
    • In that space is our power to choose our response.
    • In our response lies our growth and our freedom.