Fear and anxiety before surgery are normal feelings. Whether you’re going in for minor or major surgery or you need an emergency operation, it’s common to feel anxious. If you know the most common causes of preoperative anxiety, understand its symptoms and use practical coping techniques, you’ll be less stressed and better prepared for surgery.
Common Causes of Pre-Surgery Anxiety
Preoperative anxiety refers to the unsettling nervousness, tension, and fear a person feels before a surgical procedure or operation. Research shows a 60-80 percent prevalence of pre-op anxiety, making it highly common. Gender, age, type and extent of surgery, income, educational status, the intensity of pre-operative pain, previous surgical experience, physical status, chronic illness, psychiatric disorders, and drug use are predictors of preoperative anxiety.
While there may be other contributing factors, the most common causes of this anxiety before surgery include the following:
- Fear of the unknown
- Complications from the surgery
- Worry about surgical outcomes
- Potential loss of independence or mobility
- Anesthesia risks
- Length of post-surgery recovery
- Worry about post-surgical discomfort and pain
- Possibility of scars or infections
- Financial concerns
- Fear that the procedure may be life-altering or end in death
Coping Techniques to Manage Surgical Anxiety
If you’re nervous before surgery, experts say the best way to cope is to use techniques proven to reduce or calm anxiety. Any of all of these coping methods may bring relief. Importantly, they do not rely on prescription medication to produce results.
Aromatherapy for Pre-Surgery Anxiety
For some, aromatherapy is an effective anxiety management technique. The essential oils of lavender, citrus, and rose are the most commonly used to help control pain, reduce anxiety, and improve sleep.
Aromatherapy is also good symptom-reduction therapy for stress, depression, vomiting, nausea, and critical care. Delivery methods include aromatherapy skin patches, inhaled oil, oral use, and massage.
Massage Helps Quell Anxiety Before Surgery
Hand massage has been used therapeutically for thousands of years. It is readily available, inexpensive, simple, and noninvasive. Massage helps improve calmness and relaxation and reduces anxiety and stress before surgery. Besides, the pain sensation may be decreased as massage produces a sense of overall well-being.
Meditation or Other Relaxation Therapy
The purpose of guided relaxation therapy and meditation is freedom from physical and psychological tension. When used before surgery, these relaxation techniques can help you focus on more pleasing images and reduce stressful, negative feelings.
Acupuncture
Research shows that short acupuncture sessions may offer significant relief from pre-op anxiety. The sessions can be conducted in the waiting room before surgery using acupuncture needles, beads, and balls.
Hypnosis
Used either as a primary or adjunctive therapy, hypnosis can be used to manage chronic or acute pain, nausea, and anxiety. The sense of relaxation and reduced anxiety pre-surgery often leads to reduced pain medication use afterward.
Listening to Music
Listening to your favorite music may help significantly reduce your anxiety ahead of surgery. Research shows the benefits of music therapy for those undergoing cataract, dental, and minor elective surgeries.
Watching Pre-Op Videos
There is stress associated with any surgery. Doctors help their surgical patients reduce anxiety and improve their coping skills by having them watch informational videos. This helps with situational anxiety, retaining helpful information, and memory. Patients watch the videos using computers, smartphone apps, or video glasses.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
For some patients, including those facing coronary artery bypass and bariatric surgeries, brief cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in targeting pre-surgery anxiety and depression. Trained psychologists typically deliver this CBT, which helps improve patients’ anxiety symptoms and quality of life and shortens their hospital stay.
Spending Time with Family
No one knows you better than your loved ones and family. Not only can they see how anxiety before surgery is creating a difficult time for you, but they’re also familiar with what helps you calm down when you’re nervous. If family members live far away, arrange for regular video check-ins or calls. It may be possible for them to visit before your procedure, so be sure to ask.
Spiritual Activity
If you are religious or spiritual, use this opportunity to immerse yourself in the healing balm of spiritual activity. Some examples of spiritual activities include praying, spending time in your house of worship, listening to religious or spiritual verses or music, or reading inspirational books. Many find walking in nature a great way to connect with their spiritual side.
Communicating Concerns with Healthcare Providers
Anyone planning a surgical procedure should discuss their concerns with their healthcare team before surgery. This includes honest discussions about how to handle feeling nervous before surgery and whether medication or non-pharmacological interventions may be appropriate.
Furthermore, discussing what to expect before and after surgery is a good idea. This prepares you for how you’ll address your anxiety and get the necessary support from family and friends to help you go through the procedure.
Doctors are Your Allies
Your medical professionals, surgeons, and doctors can be your greatest allies. Freely ask them any questions you have and feel confident that they have the expertise and experience to make you feel less anxious before surgery.
What to Discuss
As for what to talk about, you may want a second opinion to discuss treatment options that don’t include surgery. You may also question whether or not the surgery is necessary. For example, it may be the best way to address your injury, disease, or illness. Have them explain the proposed or upcoming surgery in detail, including any risks and your prospects for a successful outcome.
- Besides, some healthcare providers offer educational resources, such as videos and publications, to help prepare you for surgery.
- It’s also a good idea to take notes during your meetings with medical professionals and jot down any subsequent concerns or questions so you can have them answered later.
Relaxation Strategies and Mental Health Support
You want to be as relaxed as possible to help with anxiety before surgery. Take productive steps to help with this.
Know the Signs
To get the best results to achieve calm and be less nervous before surgery, it’s essential to know the signs and symptoms of anxiety. These include:
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Feeling insecure
- Headache
- Hot flush
- Impaired concentration, decision-making, perception, and thinking
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Irritability
- Isolation
- Nervousness
- Sweating
- Tingling
- Vomiting
Good Self-Care Is Essential
Doctors recommend getting in good physical condition for many types of surgeries. For this reason, your doctor may prescribe physical therapy. It is common practice for orthopedic surgeons to suggest several weeks of pre-surgical physical conditioning to strengthen and tone the body, improve circulation, and lower blood pressure.
Stronger adjoining muscles can help speed postoperative recovery, so physical therapy sessions can help you prepare for any planned surgical procedure.
Beyond physical therapy, there are other ways to practice good self-care:
- Eat well-balanced, nutritious meals.
- Ensure you get good nightly sleep.
- Choose snacks that can help reduce your stress.
- Use mindfulness techniques or other relaxation practices to calm your jitters.
Ensure Your Support System Is in Place
After surgery, you may need someone to drive you home. This may be a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor, or someone who has arranged transportation. You may also need someone to help you for the first few days after surgery.
- Remember that your loved ones want the best for you and are most likely the ones who will support you however you need. When you have a solid support system in place, you’ll ease some of the worry and stress associated with anxiety before surgery.
- Furthermore, make use of their support before surgery. You may be too weak, tired, or in too much pain to cook or do other daily activities. Your support team may cook for you, bring in meals, or help in different situations.
- You may also consider joining a surgery support group. There are groups for general surgeries and those focused on specific surgeries. Listening to others share their experiences can calm your fears when you’re nervous before surgery. You can ask your doctor or other medical professional for a list.
Be Proactive Early
Finally, rather than allow anxiety to control you, take steps to be proactive and reduce nervousness, agitation, tension, and stress before you have surgery. You will likely enjoy better outcomes and quicker recovery. The sooner you address your anxious feelings, the better prepared you’ll be for surgery. If you’d like more information on coping with anxiety, contact our experts at Restore Mental Health.
