Have you ever walked into a medical office and gotten queasy, shaky, or sick to your stomach at the mere sight of a set of scrubs? Does the thought of needles, hospital gowns, and heart monitors make your heart skip a beat? You’re not alone. Anxiety brought on by doctors’ offices and medical procedures is highly common and very real. In fact, some people suffer from “white coat hypertension,” a rise in blood pressure caused simply by being in a medical setting. 

When it’s time to undergo a medical procedure or surgery—even if it’s routine and outpatient—it can be challenging to stay calm. But keeping anxiety at bay can help achieve better outcomes and a more positive experience. Michael Doyle, MD, Associate Medical Director Psychiatry, Northern Region, WMCHealth, has nine tips to help reduce anxiety before and during a procedure.

What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Medical Anxiety?

“It’s common to feel anxious about a medical procedure, no matter how routine,” says Dr. Doyle. “You may be concerned about pain, complications, the recovery process, or even the general unknowns. These concerns can cause very real symptoms.”

Anxiety symptoms vary from person to person but may include:

• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
• Nausea
• Other GI issues
• Trouble sleeping·      
• Feeling short of breath

These symptoms tend to peak on the day of the procedure or visit, but you may experience them for days beforehand.

Can Anxiety Have Physical Effects?

Severe anxiety can lead to physical changes in the body, including:

• Increased hormones
• Hypertension
• Fluid imbalance
• Increased body temperature      
• Heart arrhythmias

Some physical responses to anxiety may delay your procedure or impact your recovery time, so it’s important to acknowledge your anxiety and try to find ways to address it. This will help make you feel better emotionally and will help regulate your body during and after the procedure.

9 Tips to Reduce Anxiety

Try these strategies to reduce your anxiety before your medical procedure.

1. Minimize the Unknowns

“Anxiety is easily triggered with unknowns, so talk to your doctor to get a better understanding of exactly what will happen before, during, and after the procedure,” says Dr. Doyle. “Ask any questions you may have.”

2. Voice Your Fears

Informing your doctor of your fears can help them suggest ways to help reduce your anxiety or provide you with the necessary information to feel better. For instance, if you are worried about pain, your doctor can work with you to determine the best options for pain management.

3. Practice Relaxation Techniques

“Relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and box breathing, can be effective,” says Dr. Doyle. Countless free apps and online videos provide tutorials on these methods. They may not make the anxiety disappear completely, but they can help calm your mind and regulate your thoughts and body. Some of these techniques can be used not only before but during the procedure if you are awake.

4. Listen to Music

Some studies suggest that music can reduce anxiety prior to surgery. Consider creating a playlist of some of your favorite tunes. This can be a helpful option during the procedure if you remain conscious, so ask your doctor if listening to your playlist is possible.

5. Rely on Coping Strategies that Work for You

One way to help cope with medical anxiety is to use coping mechanisms or strategies that have helped you in other stressful situations leading up to your procedure. These methods might include:

• Exercising
• Reading
• Calling a friend
• Playing a game
• Being creative

“Just make sure that the strategy is a healthy one,” says Dr. Doyle. “While smoking or having an alcoholic drink may make you feel better in the moment, these choices can contribute to health complications.”

6. Bring Support

The care of a family member or friend can be hugely beneficial. They can provide emotional support while helping you process information provided by your medical team. Dr. Doyle says, “Having someone with you can help not only reduce procedure anxiety but also prevent you from feeling overwhelmed with having to retain information and next steps. Ask your loved one to take notes and collect paperwork, so you can focus on recovering.”

7. Consider Therapy

If you are struggling with anxiety about your procedure or possibly facing a series of procedures, you may want to consider talking with a therapist to learn how to cope with the anxiety. Therapy can also help you process and work through feelings about your treatment experience and what life is like afterward. If you have a chronic condition or long-term injury, look for a support group of people who are living a shared experience.

8. Talk to Your Doctor About Medications

“In some instances, medication can be given before the procedure to help keep anxiety at bay,” says Dr. Doyle. For some procedures, medication is not an option, so discuss the available options with your doctor.

9. Explore Alternative Treatments

Some people find anxiety relief with the use of alternative options such as:

• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Aromatherapy

While these methods may have positive effects, be sure to talk them over with your doctor before trying them to ensure they won’t complicate your health problem or interfere with your upcoming procedure.

Medical procedures can be scary, and there is no shame in feeling anxious. It’s best to be open with your medical team about what you are feeling and how you are coping. “We are here to help you through the whole process,” says Dr. Doyle. “You are here to feel better, and we want to ensure we help you do just that.”