Discussion Does anyone know if anxiety meds help with noise sensitivity

[OrcWitch]

My dad has been on my ass about mental health stuff lately. He is my only family member.

I wonder if there is any medication that can just make me feel okay with hearing sounds. I am sober most of the time now but I remember when I was smoking weed all the time my nerves weren't worn so thin by sounds. I know when I'm drunk I can tolerate televisions and neighbor dogs a lot better. I have PTSD and GAD diagnosed so I think I could get anxiety meds if I saw a psychiatrist. Maybe I can get prescribed something that suppresses my nerves and makes it tolerable.

Recently I entered into a "the sky is falling" panic that is part of GAD symptoms. I was reading news about eastern Europe and went into a world war 3 panic paranoia spiral about nuclear war and being obliterated. It took me some time to calm down but something I noticed during it was that my sensitivity to sound flared up that night. For the first time I wonder if my noise sensitivity isn't its own beast but is just a component of my anxiety mental illnesses. Some days I can tolerate noises that on other days feel like complete torture. When it gets really bad I don't feel in control of my emotions or actions until I can find quiet.

My over a decade long struggle with noises is a major pillar of wanting to die and I think if I ever recover I have to figure out a true solution. White noise and/or having my ears plugged/covered is not a complete solution, more of a band aid to apply when I'm already spiraling out of control. I do all these things to cover my hearing out of anxious anticipation of future noises, it's no way to live.

 

[Sherri]

Hello, sorry about your story, I live near a train station , it drives me insane, each 5 minutes a train coming by. I have double windows and could help a lot. But I vape electronic cigarettes if I don't keep the window open it's like London fog inside, it's also cold as hell so I always have to wear war, clothes. To you have double windows to prevent those noises you keep hearing, or it doesn't help at all? Sorry just trying to help. Have you tried Xanax or diazepam? Just don't get hooked, only for sos.

 

[OrcWitch]

Hello, sorry about your story, I live near a train station , it drives me insane, each 5 minutes a train coming by. I have double windows and could help a lot. But I vape electronic cigarettes if I don't keep the window open it's like London fog inside, it's also cold as hell so I always have to wear war, clothes. To you have double windows to prevent those noises you keep hearing, or it doesn't help at all? Sorry just trying to help. Have you tried Xanax or diazepam? Just don't get hooked, only for sos.

It is mostly from inside the same home as me. I am not very confrontational but have had a conversation about the tv volume before, it has gotten better and I feel like if I ask for more I will be overstepping their rights. If the tv is less than 12 I can't hear it, between 13 and 17 is tolerable but I'll hear it, 20 and over and I have to throw my headphones on and use white noise because it drives me nuts. In every apartment and house I've lived since 2012 I have had trouble with someone's tv. I think the problem is me because of the saying "if you smell shit everywhere you go, check your shoes"

As for the dogs I think double windows could help. Thank you. Your living situation sounds stressful.

I haven't had diazapam or xanax in years but I could maybe get them prescribed. Maybe buspar for a daily anxiety med since it isn't addictive. I need to be on something again, I think if an outsider saw my breakdowns on this website and they would think I am unwell enough to need medication.

 

[Midgardsorm]

As someone who is triggered by sounds all day and actually tried to ctb because of it, I understand perfectly.

I don't know which meds you are talking about, SSRI probably, which is obviously what they would put you on. It varies from person to person, I can only talk about my experience.

For me, No. nothing worked. I tried 5 different SSRI and had none success in making the sounds more bearable. Also, anti-psychotics, Olanzapine and Risperidone, no good effect.
But that was just me. Worth to note that these meds did absolutely nothing to me, not even the numbness related by a lot of the patients, so it might be a problem with me.
Recently I was told that my OCD symptoms and even this Misophonia of mine might be related to Aspenger Syndrome, which actually matches with my diagnosis, including a few other characteristics of my personality.

PSTD and GAD often have triggers, so these terrible feeling triggered by sounds might worsen during the episodes, it makes sense. I can remember the day I first notice that the sounds triggered me and it has something to do with some traumas I have.

Definitely worth to discuss with a Psychiatrist.

Yes ...the cursed of having to live with a white noise and plugs on ear every single moment of the day. I know it too. I will probably go deaf later on if I reach any older age. Yesterday I was just listening to some loud Reiki Healing sound. I don't even believe too much in the concept of Reiki but the white sounds was pleasant ...only to have my Headphone batteries run out and have to recharge ....boom, here comes the triggering noises.
Also it's funny how I can hear it even behind a testudo of sounds... Earplug + loud music ... Well, it's the extent of how bad it is.

Anyway. I'm sorry, I wish you didn't have to go through this.

Wishing you the best.

 

[Sherri]

It is mostly from inside the same home as me. I am not very confrontational but have had a conversation about the tv volume before, it has gotten better and I feel like if I ask for more I will be overstepping their rights. If the tv is less than 12 I can't hear it, between 13 and 17 is tolerable but I'll hear it, 20 and over and I have to throw my headphones on and use white noise because it drives me nuts. In every apartment and house I've lived since 2012 I have had trouble with someone's tv. I think the problem is me because of the saying "if you smell shit everywhere you go, check your shoes"

As for the dogs I think double windows could help. Thank you. Your living situation sounds stressful.

I haven't had diazapam or xanax in years but I could maybe get them prescribed. Maybe buspar for a daily anxiety med since it isn't addictive. I need to be on something again, I think if an outsider saw my breakdowns on this website and they would think I am unwell enough to need medication.

Your welcome sweetie, hope your situation gets better, when my nana comes to spend a weekend with me I have to hide in my room, cause she doesn't hear very well and the TV volume is almost at 95%. Sigh… hugs

 

[angiegirl30]

Noise sensitivity can be a part of anxiety unfortunately. I would ask your doctor about what they think is the best med for you. I would try to stay away from benzos. They are only supposed to be used for 30 days max. After that you can have some nasty withdrawal symptoms and paranoia. Buspar is a good maintenance drug for anxiety. Some antidepressants also work on anxiety. So you've got some choices. You just have to find the right med and dosage that works for you.

 

[Foresight]

I agree to try to avoid benzos, but if you get on them use it as needed. People get really screwed by benzos. I never had issues, even when I abused them and quit, but I've heard horror stories. They are excellent for severe panic attacks.

Buspar never gave me any issues, but it's mild. Worth a shot maybe.

 

[Mixo]

Sorry you're having to deal with this. I'm somewhat mildly sensitive to noise, so I wear noise-cancelling headphones most of the day, but of course that is not a permanent fix.

I feel like I'm annoying people repeatedly with this suggestion here in the Recovery section, so forgive me if I sound like a broken record at this point. Have you considered nutriceuticals or nootropics? There are some supplements that can take the edge off anxiety such as L-theanine, L-Lysine, and L-Arginine. Amino acid therapies are also typically drastically lower in side effects and safer than benzos, which increase your risk of developing dementia significantly (with long-term use).

Some clinical evidence, if you are interested:

Nutritional and herbal supplements for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders: systematic review

Over the past several decades, complementary and alternative medications have increasingly become a part of everyday treatment. With the rising cost of prescription medications and their production of unwanted side effects, patients are exploring herbal ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[OrcWitch]

Sorry you're having to deal with this. I'm somewhat mildly sensitive to noise, so I wear noise-cancelling headphones most of the day, but of course that is not a permanent fix.

I feel like I'm annoying people repeatedly with this suggestion here in the Recovery section, so forgive me if I sound like a broken record at this point. Have you considered nutriceuticals or nootropics? There are some supplements that can take the edge off anxiety such as L-theanine, L-Lysine, and L-Arginine. Amino acid therapies are also typically drastically lower in side effects and safer than benzos, which increase your risk of developing dementia significantly (with long-term use).

Some clinical evidence, if you are interested:

Nutritional and herbal supplements for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders: systematic review

Over the past several decades, complementary and alternative medications have increasingly become a part of everyday treatment. With the rising cost of prescription medications and their production of unwanted side effects, patients are exploring herbal ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

It's okay, I have shitty memory so this is the first time I can remember reading this advice. Thank you. I will bookmark the page because I need to be proactive right now.

 

[Midgardsorm]

Sorry you're having to deal with this. I'm somewhat mildly sensitive to noise, so I wear noise-cancelling headphones most of the day, but of course that is not a permanent fix.

I feel like I'm annoying people repeatedly with this suggestion here in the Recovery section, so forgive me if I sound like a broken record at this point. Have you considered nutriceuticals or nootropics? There are some supplements that can take the edge off anxiety such as L-theanine, L-Lysine, and L-Arginine. Amino acid therapies are also typically drastically lower in side effects and safer than benzos, which increase your risk of developing dementia significantly (with long-term use).

Some clinical evidence, if you are interested:

Nutritional and herbal supplements for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders: systematic review

Over the past several decades, complementary and alternative medications have increasingly become a part of everyday treatment. With the rising cost of prescription medications and their production of unwanted side effects, patients are exploring herbal ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

I will check these up as well.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Manaaja]

Hello, sorry about your story, I live near a train station , it drives me insane, each 5 minutes a train coming by. I have double windows and could help a lot. But I vape electronic cigarettes if I don't keep the window open it's like London fog inside, it's also cold as hell so I always have to wear war, clothes. To you have double windows to prevent those noises you keep hearing, or it doesn't help at all? Sorry just trying to help. Have you tried Xanax or diazepam? Just don't get hooked, only for sos.

I lived right next to a really busy road. It was hell. I couldn't sleep, I couldn't relax, I had to move the bed into the hallway and sleep on floor. But even that didn't help much.

I really encourage you to move away no matter what. You deserve to live without hearing trains every 5 minutes.

As for OP, the more tired you are, the more sounds bother you and the more paranoid you become. It's a cycle. You can't sleep because of noises, you get more tired, the more tired you are the more you become paranoid, and so noises bother you even more.

I really wish every building was really sound proof. I have been suicidal because of noise issues too. And I know it's horrible torture. Noise cancellation headphones can help a lot but if you use them too much they'll hurt your ears.

If you could sleep and relax that would be one of the best helps, but of course that's hard to do when you are already so stressed.

I don't know about meds, but I hope you can find something that helps.