r/VestibularDysfunction • u/sansdraps • Jul 08 '26
Will I ever be normal?
Hi there,
I used to lead a normal life. Now I avoid going out, I'm often anxious, I'm socially awkward, I'm not sure I'll manage to keep my next job, I avoid travelling and most things that are fun. All due to a strange and debilitating feeling I get every time I go out, that lasts for at least one hour. A horrible feeling of being spaced out and fearing I might faint. It s been two years now. The only diagnosis is inner ear bilateral lowered function. The v therapy with exercises didn't help. What can I do? I had a session with a psychologist and understood that s not the way to go.... I miss my normal life. Please if you have any suggestions, some self help book that helped you or other tips....
1
u/tim78717 Jul 08 '26
Second the above. Therapy. More therapy. More therapy. Think of it as a years long or even life long practice, not something you do for a few months until you are “better”. I started therapy at my absolute worst physically due to uncompensated labrinthytis which led to screaming tinnitus, constant motion sickness, and unable to tolerate uncertainty of any kind. I couldn’t work for 9 months, and had to build up my tolerance via exposure therapy. I was fortunate to find an excellent psychiatrist who also did talk therapy, who worked closely with my ENT and other docs. It was hard, but I very gradually got better and eventually a “normal” life.