Being in the hospital can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. Between worrying about health issues, disruptions to normal routines, and an unfamiliar environment, it’s no wonder many patients feel increasingly anxious.
However, there are proven techniques you can use right from your hospital bed or room. These techniques can help lower stress levels and promote relaxation and healing. Reducing stress while hospitalized isn’t easy, but it is possible – and important for recovery.
This article will explore several simple yet powerful ways you can help calm your mind and body. These techniques are useful even during what are likely some of your most difficult days.
What Is Hospital Anxiety?
Hospital visits are common yet daunting experiences for many people. With an aging population and a decreasing number of hospitals in the U.S., hospital admissions totaled over 33.7 million in 2022 alone. As per Statista, the elderly accounted for many of these admissions due to their increased healthcare needs.
Going to the hospital can induce anxiety for various reasons. Some people feel intense unease at the thought of visiting hospitals or undergoing medical procedures. This hospital anxiety involves worrying about the potential discomfort or pain that may come with interventions like invasive surgeries.
While hospital anxiety is not a formal mental health diagnosis, aspects of the hospital experience differentially impact people’s stress levels. Receiving injections or awaiting test results are examples of situations that can amplify anxiety for certain individuals.
Hospital anxiety encompasses specific healthcare-related phobias as well, such as fears of the hospital environment itself, medical needles, blood, or other medical aspects.
Anticipating contact with the source of one’s phobia, such as thinking about a forthcoming hospital visit, may trigger physiological symptoms of anxiety. Hospital anxiety reflects people’s normal fear responses to stressful healthcare settings and procedures, which unfortunately detract from their ability to focus on healing.
Origins and Factors Contributing to Hospital Anxiety
Hospital anxiety can stem from various sources, often rooted in personal experiences or environmental factors. For some individuals, this fear may originate in childhood. It could be prompted by a traumatic incident, such as losing a loved one in a hospital facility or seeing a painful medical treatment.
Recent studies have shed light on the changing landscape of hospital care, which may contribute to increased anxiety. An analysis of over 1.2 million hospital visits in Canada from 2002 to 2017 revealed significant shifts in patient profiles and care complexities:
- Emergency admissions have doubled, indicating more acute conditions upon arrival.
- Patients increasingly present with multiple health issues, with many managing five or more concurrent medical problems.
- As per Medscape Medical News, patients are more likely to be on multiple medications for chronic conditions.
- While in-hospital mortality and ICU admission rates have slightly decreased, the risk of post-discharge complications and readmissions has risen.
These trends point to more intricate treatment protocols and increased demands on healthcare providers, potentially intensifying patient anxiety.
Additional factors that may exacerbate hospital anxiety include:
- Preconceived negative perceptions of medical institutions
- Recurrent thoughts about past negative hospital experiences
- Adopting fears from family members or close associates
- Exposure to misinformation about medical procedures or outcomes
- Heightened pain sensitivity
- Previous trauma leading to feelings of vulnerability
- Chronic stress
- Financial concerns related to medical expenses and insurance coverage
Understanding these multifaceted causes can help in addressing and managing hospital-related anxiety more effectively.
Tips for Coping with Hospital-Induced Anxiety
Gain Insight Through Learning
Educating yourself about your anxiety, common causes, and signs can help make the unknown feel more familiar. Understanding why some procedures or environments induce fear provides power over automatic reactions. Seek information from reputable medical sources on healthcare processes and typical patient experiences. Knowing what to expect can alleviate anticipatory anxiety.
Prepare Ahead for Anxiety Management
Developing a customized plan of preventative and response strategies empowers you to handle anxiety spikes skillfully. Include routines to relax both mind and body, like deep breathing patterns to slow your heart rate and reduce muscle tension. Guided imagery or mental visualization of calming scenes can also relieve distress.
Seeking Professional Help
Your primary care provider can be a valuable resource, offering guidance on managing your anxiety and ensuring your comfort during medical procedures. They may also recommend specialized mental health professionals who have expertise in treating hospital-related anxiety.
One key healthcare professional to consider is a nurse case manager, particularly in long-term care settings. These professionals play a crucial role in supporting patients and their families by:
- Developing comprehensive care plans
- Assisting with effective disease management
- Providing emotional support throughout the treatment process
Nurse case managers often view their work as a meaningful vocation, deriving satisfaction from the personal nature of their roles. According to Holy Family University, they typically bring a holistic approach to patient care. They consider both individual and environmental factors that may impact treatment outcomes.
When working with a case manager, you can expect them to:
- Incorporate principles of holistic nursing into your care plan
- Consider your unique circumstances and needs
- Address both medical and psychological aspects of your hospital experience
Many nurse case managers possess advanced education, frequently earning their degrees through accelerated BSN programs online or in a hybrid format. This ensures they have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide high-quality, patient-centered care.
By engaging with these healthcare professionals, you can develop strategies to manage your hospital anxiety more effectively and potentially improve your overall medical experience.
Consider Canine Companionship
Consider scheduling a visit with a therapy dog during your hospital stay. These specially trained animals can provide comfort and relaxation to patients in medical settings.
A recent study examined the impact of therapy dogs in a hospital emergency room environment.
As per Inverse, the research involved over 100 patients, some of whom participated in brief 10-minute sessions with a therapy dog. Others served as a control group without canine interaction.
Researchers assessed patients’ levels of pain, anxiety, and depression before and after the intervention using established scales. The findings were promising:
- Patients who interacted with therapy dogs reported notable decreases in anxiety levels.
- Depressive symptoms were reduced in the group that spent time with the dogs.
- Pain perception also diminished among those who had canine companionship.
This study suggests that even a 10-minute interaction with a friendly therapy dog can significantly improve a patient’s emotional state. It may also potentially reduce discomfort in stressful medical environments like emergency rooms.
While these results are encouraging, further research involving larger and more diverse patient groups is necessary. This will help to fully understand the scope and variability of therapy dogs’ benefits in hospital settings.
If you’re interested in this option, discuss with your healthcare provider the possibility of incorporating therapy dog visits into your hospital experience. This non-invasive intervention could potentially complement your overall care plan and help manage hospital-related stress.
FAQs
What is the 3-3-3 rule for managing anxiety?
A: This technique involves naming three things you can see, three things you can hear, and three ways you can move your body. It works as a method to distract yourself from anxious thoughts by focusing your mind on your immediate sensory experiences. This is according to Aimee Daramus, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at Clarity Clinic in Chicago.
What is the 54321 grounding technique?
A: The 54321 method is a grounding exercise used to help calm stress and anxiety. Begin by focusing on your surroundings and recognizing five visible objects. Then, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, and two that you can smell. Finally, identify one thing you can taste.
Why might I feel uneasy in a hospital?
A: Feeling uncomfortable in a hospital can stem from various factors, such as a previous traumatic experience. The unfamiliar environment, lack of privacy, and exposure to medical equipment and procedures can also contribute to anxiety.
Hospitals can seem scary, but they are full of people dedicated to helping you feel better. Consider this a time to practice accepting help from others and know that their expertise is what will lead to healing. You don’t have to deal with anxiety on your own.
