One of the emotional reactions to losing something of importance can be depression. When our hearing ability is reduced, we lose the ability to com-municate on equal terms with other people.
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Depression is a common emotional reaction to loss. Depressed people may feel fear, anger with themselves, self-reproach, self-loathing, guilt, incompetence, unworthiness and melancholy. They see the world as grey and sad, and everything as negative and hopeless. Initiative and vigour disappear with the energy to live an active life. At worst, thoughts of suicide can occur. There are many degrees of depression, but it is important to take it seriously so that it does not develop and become life-threatening.
Hearing impairment and depression |
Hearing impairment can involve a number of losses. The primary loss is the reduced ability to hear and thus communicate successfully. Secondarily, status and career possibilities may suffer, because one’s skills seem to be affected by the loss. Personal life is also affected, as it becomes gradually more difficult to understand conversations. This can give the feeling of isolation and of being a nuisance.
The prejudices that are unfortunately often associated with hearing loss can be a contributory factor to low self-esteem. Common prejudices are that people with hearing loss are troublesome, slow-witted and tiresome. If we have such preju-dices ourselves and become hearing impaired, our self-esteem can suffer a severe blow, because we have now become one of the “somewhat tiresome” ourselves.
The negative emotional strain caused by the hearing loss can provoke a depres-sion. Especially if it is difficult to find a solution to how to function in everyday life and feel an equal member of the community.
It is important to have the degree of depression evaluated by a doctor so that it can be treated medically, through therapy or through a combination of the two forms of treatment. Being treated for the depression is important. At worst, depressions can develop further and lead to suicidal thoughts and suicide.
What can you do to counteract a depression? |
Share your feelings and experiences with other hearing impaired people who are or have been in the same situation as you. You could, for example, join a self-help group. It can be a comfort to know that your reactions to your hearing loss are normal and that other hearing impaired people share those feelings.
Ask for help in difficult listening situations - arrange with key people in your personal life and at work to support you.
Get physical exercise; it counteracts depressions.
Learn how to relax – it counters the feeling of fear often seen with depression.
Make use of the technology available, such as hearing aids.
Consult with a psychologist, if you want counselling.
Encourage the depressed person to see a doctor and be treated for the de-pression. Accompany the person to the doctor, if desired.
Do not explain away the painful feelings that the person with hearing loss ex-presses. Instead, be prepared to listen and don’t be afraid of the tears that might come with the words. It relieves the sad feelings when someone wants to listen – and when what you say and convey is taken seriously.
Emphasise to the person with hearing loss that he or she is much more than the hearing loss. Give some examples.
Find out what kind of support the person wants from you. Do not ‘take over’ – as this will reduce his or her self-esteem.
SEE ALSO:
Relaxation exercise
StigmaIsolationShame
Self-help group
