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Anxiety and depression in tinnitus sufferers
1Department of Neurophysiology, Cromwell Hospital, London, U.K.
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Tinnitus is linked to higher anxiety and depression, but the connection to severity is weak. Advancing age and being male may reduce these psychological impacts.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Audiology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Tinnitus is a common auditory condition often associated with psychological distress.
- Previous research suggests links between tinnitus and personality traits like anxiety and depression.
- The strength of this association, particularly with tinnitus severity, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between tinnitus and psychological factors, specifically anxiety and depression.
- To assess the correlation between tinnitus severity and these psychological traits.
- To explore demographic influences (age, sex) on the tinnitus-personality association.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 112 tinnitus self-help group members participated.
- Participants completed validated psychological and tinnitus severity questionnaires.
- Statistical analyses were performed to determine correlations between variables.
Main Results:
- Tinnitus was associated with elevated anxiety trait and depression, consistent with prior studies.
- However, correlations between anxiety, depression, and overall tinnitus severity were of low magnitude.
- Advancing age correlated with reduced depressive tendency, and being male with lower anxiety and depression scores.
Conclusions:
- While tinnitus is linked to anxiety and depression, their direct impact on tinnitus severity appears limited.
- Demographic factors like age and sex may modulate the psychological experience of tinnitus.
- Longitudinal studies are needed to establish causality between personality and tinnitus impact.