How to Overcome the Fear of Hospitals
When a patient needs to check into a hospital, it is natural to have some anxiety about the treatment as well as the facility. Discussing the treatment with the doctor can help to reduce some of the fear. Meeting some of the post-treatment care team members can also help the patient to relax.
- Talk with your family members before you check into the hospital. Let them know your fears, so they can help you to overcome them as best as they can. Many times just talking about the treatment process will begin to reduce the amount of fear that you have.
- Take care of last minute things at home before you go to the hospital so you can focus on your recovery. Leave instructions with your spouse or family members to handle whatever you need while you are in the hospital recovering from the procedure. The more you can accomplish before you leave for the hospital, the easier it will be to relax.
- Meet with your doctor after you check into the hospital. Talk with the doctor to help reduce your anxiety about the upcoming procedure. Find out when you will receive the treatment so you do not have to sit in your room wondering when the doctor will come for you.
- Speak with the nurses to learn how to work the hospital bed and the television. If you are comfortable, you can start to relax and mentally prepare for the procedure. Make sure that one of your family members is always present in your room, in case you need someone to talk with.
- Ask a family member to wait at the hospital while you have the procedure. Most hospitals allow family to visit the patient in the recovery room. During your post-treatment stay, talk with the doctor to find out how the procedure went so you can put your fears to rest and concentrate on getting better.