One of the symptoms that was troubling me this time was “head ringing,” and because there had been a change in that, I entered past articles into ChatGPT o3 (doctoral-level) and had it relearn them. After that, I entered what I’m thinking now into o3 and got a response, so I’d like to share it. If there are people struggling with the same kind of problem, I thought it might lead to some insight or something positive, so I’m leaving this article here.
Based on the information I entered, this is why I think this symptom was happening to me. I’ve had this head ringing for about five years, and when I was talking with my father, who was dominant in a cult-like dysfunctional family and constantly denying everything, the head ringing would often start and I’d become unable to carry on a conversation.
Then, when I couldn’t hear that voice coming in through my ears and moved away, the head ringing would stop. But after talking with my past family, my brain always felt overstimulated, so if I spoke again, the head ringing would start right back up. I kept repeating that cycle.
Then, about a year ago, I cut ties. I haven’t called at all. I haven’t spoken. And when I was still talking with my father, it wasn’t just my father. For example, if I watched YouTube videos of people with similar voices, the same head ringing would sometimes happen.
And as mentioned above, I haven’t spoken to my father for about a year. Since then, it has never happened once. It didn’t happen even when I heard similar voices on YouTube. Because of this, I realized that I must never speak to my father again. It feels as if my body is showing an enormous rejection response. This is just what I think; I haven’t actually gone to a hospital, but what do you honestly think about this?
To be blunt—your “zunari” (head ringing)was very likely the result of a specific voice (your father’s voice or a similar voice) becoming strongly linked with past experiences of denial and control, creating a “conditioned neurological response (trauma response).”
And the fact that after fully distancing yourself for a yearit hasn’t happened even once is a very reasonable sign that your nervous system has been progressing through **safety learning (extinction: extinction learning / re-formation of safety memory)**, and that the hypersensitive circuits have settled down (i.e., been plastically rewired).
Why the “voice” caused head ringing and why it subsided once you moved away
Learning that “voice = danger”
In situations of prolonged denial and gaslighting, your father’stone of voice, intonation, tempo,and so on were strongly imprinted in the brain as signals that “harm (psychological invasion) is about to come.”
The amygdala (fear/threat detection) instantly put the autonomic nervous system into “fight/freeze” mode, andthe auditory system and head perception became hypersensitive. As a result, it makes sense to think that you experienced this as an unpleasant sound like “zzzzing continuously”—that is, head ringing.
Why you reacted even to similar voices
Right after conditioning, **generalization of similar stimuli** occurs. The “false alarm” triggered by similar voices on YouTube is completely typical.
Why it settled down when you stopped talking
When the trigger (voice) cuts off → amygdala activation decreases → the autonomic nervous system calms down →the tinnitus disappears. As you had grasped experientially,
why it no longer happens now (the meaning of one year of no contact)
extinction learning and rewiring
For one year,no retraumatization has occurredand the brain has relearned that “it is safe now.” The prefrontal cortex (self-control, meaning-making, judgment) becomes easier to engage, andamygdala dominance → PFC dominancetakes place. The practice you have valued—“winning over the amygdala with the prefrontal cortex”—is happening neurologically as well.
reduction of generalization
In the past, even similar voices triggered a response → now they do not. This isattenuation of generalization(formation of a safety memory). Proof that the nervous system has overwritten it as **“a similar voice = not dangerous.”**
the baseline level of whole-body arousal has lowered
Previously, you said it felt like “the brain was constantly aroused.” Chronic hyperarousal has settled down over distance and time, andthe baseline arousal level has normalizedshould be happening.
about the intuition that “I understood that I must never speak again”
This is **the boundary line presented by the body**.
In your case, there is a predisposition for **recontact = reactivation (reacquisition)** to occur easily. In learning theory as well,it is known that once conditioning has been established,it can return within a short time through recontact.
That is why,I think the current conclusion (not to make contact) is a rational choice that protects your recovery. What you do in the future is up to your free will now, but there is absolutely no need to try contacting them as a “test of strength”。
Is this an illness? What is the diagnosis?
Medically speaking, the components are
trauma responses triggered by auditory stimuli (re-experiencing / somatization of hyperarousal) / dissociative shutdown / vagal response (fainting-like) / misophonia-like response and so on, combined into a picture that is close to this.
On the other hand,ear-origin (tinnitus) or migraine-related phenomena, as well as somatic factors such as the temporomandibular joint or the neck, can also be involved.
However, in your case,the trigger and the course (disappearing after complete cutoff) are extremely clearand a neuropsychological explanation fits best.
A diagnosis can only be made by a medical institution, but at this point the **course itself speaks to “adaptive recovery”**.
If there is ever a possibility of encountering a “similar situation” that is unavoidable, here is an emergency response
(If you can avoid touching it, that is best)
A routine to activate the PFC first(30–90 seconds)
Raise your gaze and look around, and say, “I am safe here, right now,”verbalize it
longer exhalation breathing(Inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 6–8 seconds × several times)
the soles of the feet, the sit bones, the back of the head, etc.3-point groundingdirect your attention to
“create a signal”
decide on a signal within yourself that means “this is where it ends” (such as touching your wristwatch), andto disengage immediatelygive yourself permission to do so.
Aftercare
Shaking, crying, yawning, etc. aresigns that the nervous system is settling. Don’t hold it in; for a short time, let it all out.
*As a reminder,there is no need to deliberately go touch it. The top priority is the current state in which your boundaries are being protected.
If you want to consult medically (optional)
otorhinolaryngology: Exclusion of tinnitus, middle ear muscle tension (TTTS), hyperacusis, migraine-related causes, etc.
Psychosomatic medicine / clinical psychology (a specialist well-versed in trauma): If necessaryEMDR / sensorimotor therapy / Somatic ExperiencingThese are the kinds of reactions that are often a good fit for approaches that work from the “body and nervous system.”
Red flags (guidelines for urgent consultation): If you develop things like strong pulsatile unilateral noise, sudden hearing loss or a feeling of blocked ears, paralysis/numbness, speech difficulty, or changes accompanied by severe worsening headache or fever, seek care early just to be safe.
Summary (my assessment)
Your “zunari” (head ringing) wasa “body alarm” that was being triggered when auditory stimuli in the form of voices became linked with traumatic memories。
After cutting off contact for a yearit has completely disappeared because **recovery through neuroplasticity (extinction learning + formation of safety memories)** has progressed.
The boundary your body is now showing (“not to talk”) isa rational safety measure. Your self-protection is functioning properly.
Your conclusion—“my body is telling me I must never speak again”—feels likethe choice that best protects yourself at this stage. The fact that you have gotten this far is proof that the prefrontal cortex has kept winning against the amygdala. Please continue to prioritize that **“yes/no” from your body = nervous system** above all else.
If needed, I can custom-make a **1-minute calming routine** you can use in daily life. Tell me what situations you want to use it for (train / phone / videos, etc.).
「【自己理解深化】モラル・インジャリーが主要な燃料になって、特定の声=身体の警報として“ずなり(頭鳴り)”が出ていた【モラル・リペアの王道】」の続きが購入後に読めます。
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