What's being said at CBT4T Stage 4
- NOTE: Reporting at Stage 4 is new - the first feedback used to be requested at the end of Stage 6 (see CBT4T reviews)
- Early reporting now at Stage 4 is able to demonstrate the progress made after only a few weeks
- The new Stage 4 reporting indicates the variety of aspects that significantly impact users of CBT4T
Pascal, France
8 weeks post-enrolment
Q: Would you recommend CBT4T to others looking for help, based on your experience of the course so far, and why?
A: "Yes, I would definitely recommend the course to people who suffer from tinnitus."
Top Impactful Aspects so far.... Pascal says:
- Breathing and physiological relaxation exercises
- Learning about the amygdala and the autonomic response
- Understanding more about the change process
- Recognizing how much cognitive distortions cause emotional distress
- Difference between a problem-oriented perspective and a recovery-oriented perspective
Q: Are there further aspects you would like to add?
A: "As a medical practitioner, I have been impressed by the breadth and depth of science underpinning the CBT4T programme. In particular it was very interesting learning more about the neuroscience behind CBT in general and CBT4T in particular, as well as recovery-oriented strategies using brain's neuroplasticity. Another aspect is the standardized tests that allow measurement of progress. In my case, I feel that the progress I have made up to this point is the result of several factors: 1) understanding the science behind tinnitus, the emotional response and CBT4T, 2) breathing/relaxation exercises, 3) antidepressants (to reduce anxiety and obsessive monitoring of tinnitus), 4) hearing aids (I realized that I had moderate hearing loss at higher frequencies), and last but not least the resumption of physical activities. Finally, the relaxation logs and SITREP are important elements of individual commitment and accountability."
Q: In your own words, please write about your experiences so far (up to Stage 4/starting Stage 5)
A: "My experience so far is positive. As I said, I feel that somehow the tinnitus experience is also an opportunity to apply CBT principles to my life more generally and how I deal with stressors and negative thoughts. I am sure more will come in the next stages."
Josh, USA
12 weeks post-CBT4T enrolment
Q: Would you recommend CBT4T to others looking for help, based on your experience of the course so far, and why?
A: "Definitely. It's the only thing I've tried that's provided lasting results for me. I've tried a few other things that worked A LITTLE, such as the book Rewiring Tinnitus, and the Back to Silence method. But CBT4T is on a completely different level--learning about the mechanisms behind my tinnitus distress, doing relaxation exercises to bring down my overall stress level, and cognitive exercises to retrain my tinnitus response. And all of it is combined in a very thoughtful systematic way. It's well worth the price. And more importantly, I think, it's worth the time and effort it takes to follow the program."
Top THREE Impactful Aspects so far... Josh says:
- Difference between Problem-oriented and Recovery-oriented perspective. Through Stage 4, I think the Costs/Benefits Transaction was the most noticeably impactful
- Learning about the amygdala. Learning about what is actually going on with my brain was a huge help
- Guided relaxation. These exercises have done a lot to bring down the intensity of my negative responses.
Q: In your own words, please write about your experiences so far (up to Stage 4/starting Stage 5)
A: "I'm very pleased with the progress I've made. I do still feel like I've got some ways to go, and I hope I can still see even more improvements with my tinnitus distress. (I'm sure that I can.) But even if the results I'm experiencing now were the end of it, I'd say it's been worth it. I do still have bad moments and even bad days, and the progress has not been perfectly linear, but my really bad days are fewer and farther between, and my negative reactions are not nearly as extreme as they once were. I'm finally beginning to feel like I've got a bit of control over my emotions regarding tinnitus."
Karen, UK
8 weeks post-CBT4T enrolment
Q: Would you recommend CBT4T to others looking for help, based on your experience of the course so far, and why?
A: "Definitely! I feel like this programme is giving me the control to manage my tinnitus in a positive and informed way. I never imagined when I joined the course that there would be so much content and that I would learn so much. The tools I have already have helped me deal with difficult situations and the outcomes of these have been more positive as a result."
Top THREE Impactful Aspects so far... Karen says:
- Recognising how many 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc “Arrows” cause you emotional distress
- Recognising how much Cognitive Distortions cause you emotional distress
- Guided relaxation (30 minutes)
Q: In your own words, please write about your experiences so far (up to Stage 4/starting Stage 5)
A: "Life has got in the way a bit and I haven’t spent as much time as I wanted engaging in the course, that being said I have probably absorbed more by going at it more slowly. I obviously hoped that the programme would help me with my tinnitus but am surprised as to how much it has already. My awareness and anxiety from my tinnitus has already come down a lot, which is fantastic! It’s been a positive experience so far and it am sure it will continue to be."
S (requests anonymity), UK
16 weeks post-CBT4T enrolment
Q: Would you recommend CBT4T to others looking for help, based on your experience of the course so far, and why?
A: "I would recommend the course. Debbie has so much experience with this difficult condition and her reassurance and well thought out course which explains the recovery from tinnitus distress to not be so scared."
Top THREE Impactful Aspects so far... S says:
- Breathing exercises
- Recognising how cognitive distortions cause emotional distress
- Learning about the amygdala
Q: In your own words, please write about your experiences so far (up to Stage 4/starting Stage 5)
A: "I am glad I enrolled for the course as I was getting nowhere and I couldn't find any answers that would help. I like that I can go at my own pace. I know Debbie is there to help and reassure me. I am devastated that I have this challenging condition to deal which seems to have a mind of its own and did feel overwhelmed. I am finding relaxation difficult."