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When I was losing my hearing, I experienced much the same distress that I did when my dry eye problems were at their worst. It occurred to me that the underlying reasons might be the same.
With my hearing loss I had no pain at all except for the 3 surgeries I had done. On the other hand, the anxiety was almost unbearable at times. When one of our basic senses such as hearing or sight becomes at risk we are dealing with one of the most primal components of our biological survival mechanisms. Fight or flight are normal responses and when one's senses required to carry out either of those responses is impaired it can increase anxieties, even subconsciously.
On top of that, we cannot forget that the impaired sense is struggling to survive because there are constant reminders and our biology is such that it wants us to attend to that impaired sense if possible. While losing my hearing I was very distressed by constant and severe tinnitus (sound in my ears cause by brain and ears trying to communicate and they cannot), dizziness, and inabiity to make sense of what people were saying. It was additionally, very fatiguing.
When I compare the 2 situations and the fears surrounding both about where it would all end and whether I would ever have relief, I can see that they were connected because they both involved basic survival senses and also the grief that accompanies loss.
I thought by posting this, I might be able to help someone who does not understand why DES is so distressing (maybe a spouse or parent or friend).
I believe this is all connected to our self-preservation and that our responses to this are normal.
Some things that provided relief to me were counseling, relaxation, doing things I found pleasurable, friends who understand and will listen, plenty of rest, exercise greatly relieves stress for me, music, hot baths, and even comfort food. Praying also was helpful and I am currently learning about meditation. It also helped that I found good and very understanding doctors.
My heart goes out to those who have suffered so long and so severely with this issue. Before I had dry eye, I had no idea what people were talking about and that it could be distressing. Even at that, by reading here, I am clear that my situation is not nearly as bad as some. I keep all of you in my prayers and I pray researchers will come up with a cure.
With my hearing loss I had no pain at all except for the 3 surgeries I had done. On the other hand, the anxiety was almost unbearable at times. When one of our basic senses such as hearing or sight becomes at risk we are dealing with one of the most primal components of our biological survival mechanisms. Fight or flight are normal responses and when one's senses required to carry out either of those responses is impaired it can increase anxieties, even subconsciously.
On top of that, we cannot forget that the impaired sense is struggling to survive because there are constant reminders and our biology is such that it wants us to attend to that impaired sense if possible. While losing my hearing I was very distressed by constant and severe tinnitus (sound in my ears cause by brain and ears trying to communicate and they cannot), dizziness, and inabiity to make sense of what people were saying. It was additionally, very fatiguing.
When I compare the 2 situations and the fears surrounding both about where it would all end and whether I would ever have relief, I can see that they were connected because they both involved basic survival senses and also the grief that accompanies loss.
I thought by posting this, I might be able to help someone who does not understand why DES is so distressing (maybe a spouse or parent or friend).
I believe this is all connected to our self-preservation and that our responses to this are normal.
Some things that provided relief to me were counseling, relaxation, doing things I found pleasurable, friends who understand and will listen, plenty of rest, exercise greatly relieves stress for me, music, hot baths, and even comfort food. Praying also was helpful and I am currently learning about meditation. It also helped that I found good and very understanding doctors.
My heart goes out to those who have suffered so long and so severely with this issue. Before I had dry eye, I had no idea what people were talking about and that it could be distressing. Even at that, by reading here, I am clear that my situation is not nearly as bad as some. I keep all of you in my prayers and I pray researchers will come up with a cure.
Lucy
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