Procedural anxiety is the fear or worry related to medical procedures. This can sometimes interfere with a person’s ability to receive timely, appropriate care. We explore procedural anxiety and share some strategies and techniques for dealing with procedural anxiety.
What is procedural anxiety
Procedural anxiety is common. It is associated with activities such as medical procedures and processes, which can include spirometry, blood draws, surgeries, outpatient clinics, or hospital admissions. People can experience procedural anxiety before or during the intervention or treatment and the emotional impacts of the experience can sometimes linger afterwards. Some people are not aware that they are experiencing this type of stressor and over time it can begin to impact their daily life and they may notice difficulties with treatments or admissions can become more difficult to manage over time. That is why it is important to tell someone how you are feeling if you begin to notice you are having difficulties during interventions such as; a friend, family member or a member of your CF clinic team so they can find ways to manage this common concern as part of your care.
Sources of procedural anxiety
This can be due to a broad range of factors, the most common are:
- Anticipation of pain, discomfort, or fear of something going wrong
- Losing a sense of control, this may be due to being in a new environment, working with a new team of clinicians or undergoing an unfamiliar procedure
- Being reminded of a previous negative experience such as the environment – light, sound or smell
- Performance anxiety, related to worrying about the results from tests such as lung function tests that may signify a possible decline in health or that a hospital admission may be needed
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms for procedural anxiety are similar to those for other types of anxiety and can include:
- Sweating
- Feeling of breathlessness
- Irritability
- Shaking/trembling
- Heart palpitations, pounding heart, or increased heart rate
- Loss of appetite
- Inability to speak or think clearly
- A sensation of detachment from reality
- Fear of fainting
- Fear of losing control
These symptoms can be so overwhelming that they can disrupt a person’s ability to function before, during, or even after the medical procedure has ended (CF USA, 2021).
Strategies and coping techniques
There are many techniques and strategies you and health professionals can implement in order to manage or reduce the likelihood of you experiencing procedural anxiety. As procedural anxiety is very common your network and clinic team will likely have experience in supporting you if you have identified this is a concern. Some strategies are:
- Establish a good relationship with your clinic team, be open about your previous experience, so they can understand how to best support you and make you feel safe
- Request information about the procedure beforehand. This can assist with making you feel more in control and prepared as you will know what to expect.
- Learn about if the facility you are receiving practices what is called Trauma Informed Care, which may be able to modify your care to best support your needs or provide pre and post socioemotional support.
- Using distraction techniques such as reading, listening to music, exercising, relaxation techniques and slow breathing
- Some complementary medicines, consult with your treating team for appropriate types as some may impact current medication you are taking.
- Supportive counselling prior to your medical intervention such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help some people recognise their anxious feelings and reactions and develop coping skills to reduce anxiety-provoking reactions.
- In the instance of severe anxiety, medications or numbing creams may be suggested by your health professional prior to the intervention
- Having a support person with you such as friend or family member
Things to remember
Procedural anxiety is an understandable reaction to procedures and can be effectively managed with good communication and good strategies with your medical teams and care providers. It is important to let someone you trust know of your feelings, particularly your CF clinic team so they can work with you and develop a plan in managing your procedures, clinic appointments, surgeries, or admissions.
Speaking with someone from your local CF centre such as a social worker, may be a good starting point if you are unsure of how to approach this with your clinic team. You are not alone in your experience and they will likely have the tools to help support and advocate for you.
Resources and references
CFWA Procedural Anxiety for Adults
https://www.cff.org/Life-With-CF/Daily-Life/Emotional-Wellness/Procedural-Anxiety/
This story was published in June 2021. If you would like to share your story, please contact us at admin@cfcc.org.au. We’d love to hear from you and so would our readers.
