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ssmiller06 · May 24, 2011, 05:05 PM

The humming droning noise that comes from an ac unit, refrigerator, etc all cause me to be extremely irritable and anxious or upset and even gives me pain in my head or back. I get so nervous and upset about it it makes me act in ways I wish I didn't, like snapping at people. What do you think it can be from and what can I do to try to relax?

Wondergirl · May 24, 2011, 05:19 PM

Do you know for sure it's the humming that affects you?

Do you know anything about harmonics?

ssmiller06 · May 25, 2011, 10:36 AM

I actually was able to look online for some more common issues and found that there is an anxiety called noise anxiety. It described me to a "T". I understand and have spoken to some people that have mentioned that it is a brain changing thing. I have to tell myself that they are noises that I cannont control and that I have to tell myself everyday (morning,night) to drowned them out.

Its not always the appliance, or machine that bothers me, but I can here a specific pitch of the noise and that's what irretates me. It is on a certain level of sound that I can hear within the whole thing. My family thinks I am crazy, but it is really uncomfortable and unbearing. They say I have sonar hearing haha.

ssmiller06 · May 25, 2011, 10:38 AM

And sorry, to answer your question, the harmonics thing is definitely relative, but I don't know what I should do about it. I was told to train my brain.

Wondergirl · May 25, 2011, 12:18 PM

There definitely is an anxiety problem involving noise (and no, you're not crazy). One possibility is to find a way to control it, that is, control your environment, if possible, or even wear noise-canceling headphones that cut out the droning but still allow you to hear conversations. There are ways to reduce how much effect noise, especially white noise and droning, has on you, but you'd probably need to meet with a counselor who specializes in anxiety situations.

ssmiller06 · May 25, 2011, 02:32 PM

First off, thank you so much for your care and concern. It isn't very often where you get help and care about something like this when normally you get people telling you your crazy or to get over it. I really appreciate it. Second, I definitely would like to get some help. It would probably help me with a lot of other little things. I have heard about the headphone, ear plug idea, but I just hate to have to do that. That is even more uncomfortable haha. I have been working on my own control the past couple of days and I really do believe in training the brain. The brain is a crazy thing and really does control everything. I would love to overcome this for the sake of maybe being able to help other people too. By the way, how do you know about this type of issue, is there someone you know with something similar? Again, thank you so much for your input. It is very helpful and supportive.

Wondergirl · May 25, 2011, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by ssmiller06

By the way, how do you know about this type of issue, is there someone you know with something similar? Again, thank you so much for your input. It is very helpful and supportive.

I'm a professional counselor and have heard of this sort of thing within the huge spectrum of anxiety disorders/problems. Coincidentally, certain machines (it must depend on the harmonics and maybe pitch) affect me with their droning. I will hear, very faintly, an orchestra playing classical music or sometimes hear instrumental country music. (I never hear rock or pop. Lol) This can get very annoying and interfere with my thinking processes, especially when I hear country music which I hate.

Do you have ideas on how to train your brain? I've read that CBT and neurofeedback are the best ways to go.

ssmiller06 · May 26, 2011, 10:53 AM

Hmmm iv'e never heard of those. I am not too sure but was hoping that in my research on finding a psychiatrist they may know something about that. My boyfriend recently met with a woman who speaks with you about how to talk and communicate with yourself sometimes to feel relaxed. He has had a hard childhood and he had a hard time trying to feel confident. But about the hearing. There is something called Autosuggestion which is a mental process, sort of a list of steps.

I may take up the idea of reaching out to a therapist of some sort. The hardest part is I really haven't found much information on people that have that issue. I have seen ideas on what it is but not how to treat it. So, hopefully I will stumble upon an answer soon.

Thank you for your thoughts!

ssmiller06 · May 26, 2011, 10:55 AM

BTW I just looked up CBT and neurofeedback. Very interesting and useful!!

Wondergirl · May 26, 2011, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by ssmiller06

Hmmm iv'e never heard of those. I am not too sure but was hoping that in my research on finding a psychiatrist they may know something about that.

Be careful in looking for a therapist. First, it has to be someone who specializes in anxiety issues, across the entire spectrum of anxieties. It also should be someone with experience in CBT and/or neurofeedback.

In my own experience, psychiatrists, who are M.D.s, usually want to medicate their patients and will refer them to someone with a master's degree in order to get into counseling/CBT, etc. That means you'd meet with the master's level person (counselor or social worker) once or twice a week, and see the psychiatrist only once a month or as needed to adjust the meds. I have found only one psychiatrist who actually does counseling with his patients. (There are probably more, but counseling just doesn't seem to be what they do.)

And my belief is that you probably don't need meds for this problem, or, at least, it's worth working on it in the beginning apart from meds. So, find that therapist who deals with anxieties, and skip the psychiatrist thing. If you do seem to need meds, the therapist can always talk with you about that and refer you to someone who will prescribe.

ssmiller06 · May 26, 2011, 12:55 PM

That is very helpful. I am not someone who thinks that medication is the best route. My primary doctor is actually very good and I trust him, so I am thinking I could speak with him first to see if he may be able to refer me to someone he may know.

I really appreciate everything. I am so glad that I asked. It is kind of an insecurity that I have to talk to people about it.

Wondergirl · May 26, 2011, 01:13 PM

Don't feel insecure about it. There are probably more people then we can imagine who are walking around with a similar problem, but aren't as introspective as you are and who haven't figured out that they feel nervous and upset because of background noise. My (now deceased) fil freaked out in stores while shopping with my mil, and had to retreat to the parking lot and his car to calm his nerves. It turns out he was autistic (Asperger's) and was experiencing sensory overload. He -- and everyone else -- thought he was a little crazy.

Please report back with how things are going for you. Yours is a very interesting situation, and not too far from my own problem with droning.