Anxiety before any surgery or medical procedure is real and very common. Basically, the doubts and fears of patients pile up, resulting in feelings of uneasiness or stress. The most common reason you might be feeling anxiety is the fear of the unknown. You may feel uncertain and unsure of what will happen and what the outcome will be. You’re probably afraid of the pain you may experience during and after surgery. Also, you may be imagining a thousand scary scenarios of things going wrong on the operating table, most of which may lead to death.
When it comes to pre-surgical anxiety, psychological effects are common; you may experience aggression, tension, and apprehension. However, in some cases, anxiety can also manifest into physical symptoms like hypertension, diarrhea, or tachycardia. Fortunately, there are ways to counter pre-surgical anxiety. We’ve listed down some ways to help you remain calm before your surgery.
Trust the professionals
Research proves that patients feel content when they fully trust the medical team handling their case. So, you should do some research on your surgeon and find out their success rate for the surgery they’re about to perform on you. Similarly, you can beat pre-surgical anxiety by developing bonds with the nurses and doctors. The reason we are encouraging you to bond with nurses is because they have the most interaction with patients and their caretakers; nurses are amongst the first professionals you will meet upon admittance, and they will be by your side throughout your hospital stay. Also, nursing programs and formal degrees worldwide focus on the importance of the patient-nurse relationship in countering pre-operative anxiety; so whether your nurse has an online BSN degree or a traditional MSN, they will be well aware of effective anxiety management techniques and tricks to help patients like you feel relaxed. Furthermore, according to research, if you are able to establish a good relationship with your nurse, it will have a positive impact on your health outcomes and recovery because you will feel less anxious and fully prepared to face every challenge head-on.
Learn more
As mentioned above, uncertainty can make patients more anxious. To fight this, you should learn more and more about the surgery. Being mentally prepared for everything and having all the relevant information in hand can make you feel in control and ready. Also, having all the right information at hand reduces the negative feelings.
There is a fine line between information and too much information or information of the wrong kind. Unfortunately, in a bid to know a little more, most people tend to cross this imaginary line by leaps and bounds. This is especially true for patients looking up procedures over the internet. The internet has a sea of information, both fruitful and disturbing, so clicking on the wrong video or website can make you more anxious. Steer clear of vivid images and videos. To avoid this, only search for the success rate, benefits of surgery, and tips for recovery, not the mortality rate. And never, I mean NEVER, look up any surgical videos or overly graphic images, especially if you are squeamish, as they will give you nightmares.
Convey your fears to your surgeon
The only person who can guide you better about the surgery or procedure is your surgeon. You can share all your concerns and fears with your surgeon, allowing you and your surgeon to develop a relationship and for them to gain your trust. This altogether eliminates the fear of potential surgical errors and all the negative outcomes you may be concocting in your head. Ask any question that pops into your mind, no matter how silly you think it is. This way, you’ll be able to counter your fears better.
Stay occupied
There is a common phrase, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Simply put, it means that nasty thoughts can seep in when your mind is not occupied with something fruitful. This phrase is especially valid for patients with an impending surgery. Having nothing to do can cause you pre-surgical anxiety. On the other hand, being prepared and in control can reduce anxiety by a great deal. To elaborate, if you are busy doing things that are important or stuff that you enjoy, your mind will not wander off and cave in to thoughts of fears and anxiety.
This is where being fully prepared becomes beneficial. Ask questions and eagerly listen to everything your physician tells you, including all the pre-operative care tips, expectations of the surgery, and the results. Pack a bag for your hospital stay and make lists of things you’ll need, including some preferred distractions like captivating books or your iPad with the latest season of your favorite show pre-downloaded for bingeing. The key is to distract yourself; something as simple as a walk can do wonders for you when plagued with anxiety.
Seek support from your loved ones
The support of your friends and family members is an excellent resource in fighting negative thoughts and vibes. Their constant words of motivation, encouragement, and anecdotes can keep the environment light and you stress-free.
Find someone to take you to the hospital and back home after surgery, even if they can’t stay for the entire duration of the procedure or your stay. Share your concerns and fears with your caregivers so they can better and more empathetically handle the situation and deal with you.
If you are naturally a more anxious person, request your loved ones to look up ways and techniques to counter anxiety. This way, they’d be better prepared to keep you relaxed before surgery.
Indulge in proven therapies for anxiety
Controlling anxiety is no piece of cake, especially when you are on the verge of a panic attack. During such times, some activities have proven to be helpful, like massage, acupressure, meditation, yoga, and hypnosis. However, before you decide to indulge in any of these therapies, consider the time you have left before surgery, know that the effectiveness of these remedies can vary from person to person, and above all, consult your doctor.
Listen to music
Many psychologists recommend listening to music as a way of countering anxiety. A study shows that different genres of music have different effects on the mind and mood of a person. Upbeat music can make you feel enthused about life. On the other hand, mellow tunes can make your body relaxed. So pick your favorite tunes and start listening.
Conclusion
The effects of pre-surgical anxiety become apparent in post-op recovery. Patients who get anxious thinking about the surgery and its results experience prolonged hospital stays, more pain, and a greater need for pain medication. While doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff are probably doing their part to make you feel comfortable and relaxed before your surgery, you need to do your part. So consider the above-mentioned tips and tricks, and look up more ways to counter anxiety for a smooth and quick recovery.