PSYCHOSOCIAL VARIABLES AND STRESS MANAGEM ENT IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC AURAL TINNITUS

The inhibition of physiological habituation in patients with chronic a ural tinnitus extends from the level of cellular processing to psychol ogic and psychosocial determinants. The following hypotheses were test ed in 32 patients with chronic tinnitus and 30 patients of a comparabl e clinical control group: tinnitus patients differ concerning (1) the perception of social support, (2) a disposition to psychosomatic disea ses, (3) coping with stress and (4) certain personality traits. Standa rd psychological tests were used as well as a detailed examination of at least 30 minutes. Results showed that the tinnitus patients statist ically perceived less social support and more social distress compared to the control group. They also showed significantly poorer suits in coping with stress. Increased social distress in a number of cases res ulted in noticeable decompensation. Additionally, a disposition to psy chosomatic disorders increased, so that conflicts arising expressed th emselves in various functional diseases. In most cases psychiatric exp loration showed a vocational or familial overcharge. In patients exper iencing decompensation, close cooperation with a psychotherapist is re quired.