Noisy Neighbours - need advice on taking action / recording evidence

staffie1

Jimmy_Boy said:

curtis122 said:

I too have become very sensitive and alert to sounds to the point if I hear what I think is a child being outside or one of my neighbours just talking loud my stomach tightens because I am then waiting for possible ongoing noise. At times I have thought I have heard the neighbours when in fact it has been a background noise on the TV thats how sensitive its become. Its reached the point now where I hate the fact I sit in my garden and can hear people in their houses, doors closing, washing up being done,  lunch being made, talking and thats not even exessive noise but it now really irritates me. 

This.

This describes exactly what im like. My mind simply cannot switch off and rest, im always subconsciously waiting for the next 'boom' sound (footsteps, door bangs, dropping stuff etc...), I find things that shouldnt bother me do, because ive been putting up with this for 6 or more years now.

I know in my heart of hearts that im fighting a loosing battle and the only real solution is to move, but it's not an easy pill to swallow as ive invested quite a lot in my property. It has a serious affect on your mental health which no one appears to fully appreciate (not even close friends), I think it's only something you can empathise with when youve lived through it yourself.

I am a field based engineer and see many people in the day. Recently I visited a retired doctor and we got chatting. He said that he could sense something was not right with me and once I described my situation it made some sense to him, and he advised that I consider visiting a psychiatrist as he could see how negatively this was affecting my day-to-day life, and stressed that I really need to consider getting out of the situation as he predicted I was an 'ideal case' for a mental breakdown. This hit home quite hard (sometimes you just need someone to tell you what you really already know, but keep trying to bury), and I am now looking at trying to move and rebuild / restart my life

To everyone else having issues, I hope you get them sorted.

The one tip I would give to anybody reading this who is in a similar situation is this - if you cannot amicably sort the issue to your satisfaction, try to prioritise moving property - dont put yourself through the mental stress, anxiety and potential financial stress of trying to 'fix' the issue. If like me you considered this as 'not an option', try and make it an option otherwise it can potentially have long lasting mental health issues which are just not worth it.

Ive gone the whole soundproofing route (walls and ceiling), and while it reduces the noise, it does NOT eliminate it, and if (like me) you've got to the point where you are SO sensitive (due the amount of time you have endured it) you will still hear (and be bothered by) the 'boom' sounds. These are my personal experiences.

I know exactly how you feel. In a situation like this you have to find a way to get away from it. Life’s too short.