Numerous studies have linked tinnitus and depression to each other. Although depression and anxiety in and of themselves do not cause tinnitus, they can worsen it significantly. By reducing the amount of stress or depression is one’s life, the impact of the tinnitus can be reduced as well. Many people with tinnitus develop a sort of obsessive compulsive habit of checking their tinnitus to see if it is still there, often times creating anxiety which can make it significantly worse.
SSRIs
Although SSRIs are often prescribed to those who have been officially diagnosed with depression, a scientific investigation revealed that out of 525 different patients, these medications did not improve their tinnitus in any noticeable way. SSRIs can still be helpful for those who suffer from severe depression because of their tinnitus though.
Some of the adverse side-effects of SSRIs include dry mouth and sexual dysfunction, making them a last resort for many people who are struggling with feelings of sadness or depression. There are also certain contradictions which are associated with SSRIs, sometimes producing the opposite effect in those who are trying to manage their depression.
Sertaline
Sertaline is one of the more popular pharmaceutical treatments for tinnitus and it is more commonly known as Zoloft. This particular antidepressant is classified as an SSRI or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. It is frequently prescribed to those who are suffering from depression, panic attacks, severe anxiety, and certain obsessive compulsive disorders.
This is precisely why Zoloft is ideal for tinnitus sufferers who often develop these problems as a direct result of their condition. One of the more recent studies that were done demonstrated that Sertaline substantially reduced the annoyance of tinnitus in a number of people after 16 weeks of use. All of the studies and scientific data that have been collected on the use of this SSRI suggest that is can significantly reduce depressive feelings.
It is important to keep in mind that antidepressants do not treat the actual tinnitus, but rather the depression that can sometimes become a problem as a result of the phantom noises which the person perceives. Doctors and psychiatrists do not prescribe antidepressants or SSRIs for tinnitus, although people who suffer from depression or anxiety may be able to get them in order to alter their emotional state and as a result reduce the annoyance level of their tinnitus.
