Psychosomatics of ear infections
An ear infection is inflammation of the ear: your ear hurts, it may feel blocked, hearing gets worse, sometimes there is discharge. An outer ear infection often comes from water in the ear, eczema or earplugs, a middle ear infection more often after a cold or flu. It usually gets better by itself in 3 days, sometimes in a week. If the ear swells, the temperature is very high or fluid comes out, see a doctor urgently. The Ladder method adds questions about what you do not want to hear.
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When to see a doctor
Start with a general practitioner or an ENT doctor: they will look in your ear and decide whether you need drops or antibiotics. The NHS advises seeing a doctor if earache does not go away in 3 days or ear infections keep coming back.
In the Ladder method
In the Ladder method an ear infection is not explained as "you don't want to hear your husband", and you are not to blame for your ear hurting. The causes are known: water in the ear, eczema, a cold, flu. Questions to yourself belong alongside treatment, not instead of it.
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In the method the ear fits the image of what you hear every day: criticism, advice, other people's expectations. It is an image, not the cause of the illness, and it does not replace an examination by a doctor.
On the ladder this shows up as the steps "I have to listen to everyone" and "there's nowhere to hide from these words". You can work through them while your ear is being treated.
These are questions for reflection, not an explanation of what causes the condition and not a treatment.
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How it shows up
Book a doctor’s appointment if you notice:
- Earache
- A high temperature
- Worse hearing
- A blocked feeling or pressure in the ear
- Discharge from the ear
- Itching and irritation in the ear canal
What medicine knows
An ear infection is an infection or inflammation of the ear. There is outer ear infection (the ear canal) and middle ear infection (behind the eardrum). Signs according to the NHS: earache, a high temperature, worse hearing, discharge from the ear, a feeling of pressure or fullness, itching.
An outer ear infection often appears from water in the ear, eczema, earplugs. A middle ear infection usually starts after a cold or flu. Adults get ear infections less often than children (MedlinePlus).
An ear infection usually gets better by itself in 3 days, sometimes in a week. What helps according to the NHS: paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain, not cleaning the ear with cotton buds, keeping water out of the ear and not swimming. Decongestants and antihistamines do not help with ear infections.
Antibiotics are not always needed, and only a doctor prescribes them after an examination. A doctor makes the diagnosis by looking in the ear, not a picture on the internet.
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Frequently asked questions
Can an ear infection be caused by nerves?
No, an ear infection is caused by infection: water in the ear, eczema, a cold or flu (NHS). Stress does not create an ear infection. If your ear hurts, it is best to see a doctor.
What does an ear infection mean in psychosomatics?
An ear infection has no proven "meaning". In the Ladder method a sore ear becomes a reason to ask yourself whose words are hard for you to hear. It is a question to yourself, not a diagnosis.
When does earache need a doctor urgently?
If your temperature is very high, there is swelling around the ear, fluid is coming out, your hearing has suddenly got worse, or you are vomiting or dizzy. See a doctor the same day.
Related topics
Psychosomatics does not replace tests and treatment. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.