It is a vicious cycle because tinnitus causes stress and anxiety and is also worsened by stress and anxiety. Worrying over the tinnitus can cause it to become worse. Lack of sleep due to ringing in the ears leads to fatigue which makes the ear ringing worse. These are just some of the mental and emotional side effects of tinnitus.
At times it may be more annoying for people who do not know what is wrong with them or who have non-supportive doctors that tell them to "get over it" or to find a way to live with tinnitus.
Many people with a hissing in the ears, like me, will discover that it completely interferes with natural essential functions of their lives. You may have a hard time concentrating, remembering things, listening to others and focusing on tasks. This makes it nearly impossible to function properly on a job or in society.
Many people with tinnitus go through the same process as people with other medical conditions and disorders. At first you may feel denial, then anger and frustration (especially if you are being told there is no cure and nothing will help) and then you may feel hopeless and depressed. You will think why this had to happen to you and harp on the fact that your life will never be the same. Next comes fear.
You may worry that you will never live a normal life again, fear that this ringing in the ears will cause havoc with your job and your family, fear that you will never be able to enjoy the same things and fear that you are going crazy or that there is something mentally "wrong" with you. At some point along the way if you hope to find relief, you will need to find acceptance.
Acceptance- With acceptance comes the realization that while you do have this condition and there is no cure for ear ringing, that doesn't mean you have to be a victim for the rest of your life.
You will soon come to the realization that there is hope for your tinnitus and that you have stopped focusing on the ear ringing all the time you can allow your body to start the recovery. Also one should also take note of the fact that this roller coaster of emotions does not only effect the tinnitus sufferer but their families as well.