The Impact of Tinnitus in a Teenager's Life
Giulia Emma Towey, Giovanni Capoderose, Francesco Vincelli
This article describes the case of a 17-year-old patient who, as a consequence of sialadenitis, begins to manifest the symptoms of tinnitus, i.e. the perception of a sound heard in the absence of an external acoustic stimulus; the symptoms are associated with anxiety and relational difficulties. A treatment was designed in accordance with the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) model, with the aim of promoting adaptation by increasing psychological flexibility. Moreover, communication and relational difficulties were addressed through assertiveness training. The outcome is characterized by the remission of tinnitus and a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms, accompanied by an improvement in relational abilities. In this case, the results demonstrate that ACT is a useful treatment for secondary psychological problems associated with tinnitus.
Keywords
Tinnitus, Anxiety, Acceptance and commitment therapy, Assertiveness training, Psychological well-being.
