Case Study - Paul Cunningham
PLYMOUTH MAN HIGHLIGHTS RISKS OF STRESS
When Paul Cunningham of Plymouth first began to suffer from tinnitus, he couldn't imagine ever learning to live with it. Now, many years later, he has achieved the seemingly impossible situation of managing to cope with a condition that once led him to have suicidal thoughts.
Paul, 51, firmly believes his tinnitus was stress-induced due to an extremely demanding career and subsequent hectic lifestyle. It was only after he left his previous job and was able to take a few months out to really relax for the first time in years that he started to get to grips with the problem.
Now working as a police researcher, Paul does his best to avoid stressful situations and makes himself have a break for a few moments whenever he feels the need to unwind. It's an approach that has taken him from the edge of despair to a much brighter outlook and he hopes that fellow sufferers can achieve the same.
"I would dearly love someone to come up with a miracle cure for tinnitus but since that hasn't happened I can only suggest de-stressing as much as possible and trying not to get over-tired," said Paul. He knows only too well that learning to live with a constant, and in his case, high-pitched ringing noise is easier said than done but believes it really is the only option available. "When I first developed tinnitus, I used to hate people who said you had to learn to live with it but having experienced it, I now think that's true.
"Even after more than ten years, I haven't overcome all the problems but I've definitely moved on from any suicidal tendencies and have found things that really do help." Listening to music to blank out other sounds has proved effective for Paul along with trying to maintain a regular sleep pattern. "In one way I've been dealt an unfortunate blow by developing tinnitus but I've also been lucky because I've found a way to cope," he added.
The UK-based charity Action for Tinnitus Research focuses on funding medical and scientific research into the condition. Its operations director Nick Doughty said that raising awareness was an important part of its work in the pursuit of a cure. "It is estimated that over five million people in the UK are affected by tinnitus and it can have a devastating effect on their quality of life," he explained. "Not enough information is available about this complex condition and we are one of the few organisations determined to do something about it.� We are committed to funding leading edge research and providing practical information to health professionals for the benefit of sufferers," he added.
For more information on Action for Tinnitus Research, logon to the website at www.tinnitus-research.org, e-mail [email protected] or telephone
0115 925 4065
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