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The question was submitted 28/03/2008

Subject: So unsure of what is happening to me

My ears started hissing just after Christmas and I think that this is causing me extreme anxiety and hence other symptoms which I am suffering daily. In the past I have had problems with my jaw and related pain which I put down to excessive dental work. My last episode with the pain and trying to get relief was about 4 years ago and I can't remember what happened to settle the symptoms.This time around I have been on the medical merry-go-round and a male doctor would not prescribe me anti-depressant meds for my mental symptoms.I visited a female doctor yesterday explained my situation and she gave me the anti-depressants straight away to try to help me.

I am confused as to whether my physical pain i.e. chronic muscle spasm in upper back, neck, head, jaw and face are coming from an emotional source or are from a mechanical reason of dysfunction. This utter confusion raises my anxiety level to the highest I have ever noticed in my life. I am noise sensitive - loud noise hurts my ears, if I manage to get some sleep when I wake up I am jumpy about any noise that I hear and then I start with the thoughts about how I will be today.
I am waiting to see a counsellor who specialise in grief and loss to try to resolve some emotional stuff from my past. I want to enjoy all of the wonderful things that I have in my life now. Do you think that past emotional trauma can affect your life in this way? That is I have zero interest in much at all. I am only managing to work a couple of hours a day - I am employed in a full time job.

Answer from DepNet

It's difficult for me to comment on the cause of your physical symptoms without taking a comprehensive history of both physical and emotional symptoms. This type of diagnostic assessment is complex, and I do not think that speculating on potential causes based on limited information may actually increase, rather than decrease, your anxiety levels.


I would suggest asking your doctor about what he or she thinks about the cause of your physical symptoms, and what they think the cause of your psychological symptoms are. If you strongly believe that there is a substantial psychological component to your physical symptoms, I would suggest asking for a psychiatrist consultation. Even if you don't think there is a substantial psychological component to your physical symptoms, it would appear from your letter that you have the following psychiatric symptoms: anxiety, reduced interest in activities, and impaired sleep. There are a number of psychiatric syndromes in which these symptoms appear, and a psychiatrist may shed some light on a diagnosis.

I think there is also another issue here, and that is that you don't feel you can ask your doctors about diagnosis and treatment. I think this is a very big problem, and think you should consider resolving this in some way, either by discussing it directly with your doctor or finding another doctor.

The answer was published on DepNet 31/03/2008