"Conquering MRI Anxiety: Your Guide to a Stress-Free Scan"

 

Undergoing an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan can be an anxiety-inducing experience for many individuals. The combination of a confined space, loud noises, and the unknown can trigger feelings of claustrophobia and discomfort. There’s hope! Check out the following tips and options that may hopefully help alleviate anxiety and improve the overall MRI experience.

MRI Anxiety and its Consequences 

MRI anxiety is a reaction characterized by fear, nervousness, or discomfort before or during an MRI scan. Several factors contribute to this anxiety. The confined space of the MRI machine, known as claustrophobia, is a common trigger. Additionally, the loud noises produced by the machine, repetitive clicking or thumping sounds, can cause distress. The fear of the unknown, especially for individuals undergoing their first MRI, can also contribute to anxiety. MRI anxiety can have significant consequences for patients. It may lead to increased stress levels, and discomfort, and even prevent individuals from undergoing necessary medical imaging. Avoiding or delaying an MRI due to anxiety can hinder accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment plans. Recognizing the impact of MRI anxiety is crucial in developing strategies to manage and overcome it.

Tips for Managing MRI Anxiety

Educate Yourself: Understanding the MRI procedure and the purpose behind it can help alleviate anxiety. Ask your healthcare provider or the MRI technologist to explain the process, including the duration, the sounds you may hear, and the expected sensations. Inquire with the MRI technologist if pamphlets and reading material are available. Ask away! 

Relaxation Techniques 

Practice relaxation techniques before and during the MRI scan. Deep breathing exercises, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can help calm your mind and body. You can learn these techniques from online resources or seek guidance from a healthcare professional. Be sure to do all deep breathing exercises before the MRI scan procedure and not during as this may alter your results. 

Distraction 

Some MRI facilities offer in-room entertainment or provide goggles to watch movies or TV shows. Focusing on something enjoyable can divert your attention from the MRI machine and reduce anxiety. Contact your imaging center to be sure in-room entertainment is an option.

Communication 

How about a quick chat with the tech? Inform the MRI technologist about your anxiety or claustrophobia. They are experienced in assisting anxious patients and can provide guidance and support throughout the procedure. They may offer helpful suggestions, such as using a mirror to see outside the machine or taking breaks during longer scans.

Sedation Options 

For individuals with severe anxiety or claustrophobia, sedation may be an option. Discuss this possibility with your healthcare provider, who can assess your situation and determine if sedation is appropriate for you. 

Open MRI 

In some cases, an open MRI machine may be available as an alternative to the traditional closed MRI. Open MRI machines have wider openings, which can help reduce feelings of confinement or claustrophobia. Consult with your healthcare provider to determine if an open MRI is suitable for your specific medical needs.

Supportive Companion 

Having a trusted friend or family member accompany you during the MRI can provide emotional support and help alleviate pre-MRI jitters. Their presence can offer reassurance and comfort throughout the process.

Practice Self-Care 

Engage in self-care activities leading up to the MRI. Get enough rest, eat well, and stay hydrated. Taking care of your overall well-being can contribute to a calmer state of mind. MRI anxiety is a common experience for many patients, but it can be managed effectively. By employing the above tips and options, you can alleviate anxiety and improve your MRI experience. Remember, open communication with healthcare providers and technologists, along with relaxation techniques, distractions, and support, are essential components in overcoming MRI anxiety. By addressing these concerns, you can ensure accurate diagnoses, appropriate treatment plans, and a more comfortable MRI journey.

SOURCE: July 7, 2023 by Jasmine Farrell, BlackDoctor.Org

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“Anxiety About Money and How to Find Relief”

 

Do you worry about money? Countless people do—surveys consistently find that finances are one of the most common sources of anxiety. Maybe you worry about having enough money for retirement. Or perhaps you’re living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to pay your rent or mortgage on time. Mounting credit card debt only adds to the unease.

I first encountered financial anxiety as a kid, sensing my dad’s stress as he tried to make ends meet with five boys and one income. I remember my mom paying for groceries with food stamps and getting our clothes from a local free bin. And while my situation as an adult is different from what my parents experienced, I’ve felt the stress and uncertainty of being self-employed. It’s easy to imagine how fragile our family’s position is, and how a serious illness or injury could severely disrupt the life we share. I also know from both personal and professional experience that anxiety about money isn’t entirely dependent on your financial situation. There was a time when I earned more than I do now yet felt more worried about our finances. On the opposite end, as I was growing up, I saw my parents remain calm even when their finances seemed hopelessly tight, leaning on their faith (my dad was a minister) and heeding Bible verses that encouraged them to trust God for all things. And in my clinical work, I’ve seen patients show tremendous resilience in the face of major financial pressure, like being fired from one’s job in midlife, or being unable to work because of depression or other disability.

So, while our actual financial situation is one variable that can trigger anxiety about money, there are ways to manage these concerns. See what happens when you apply some of the following suggestions.

REMEMBER THAT EVEN FINANCIAL RUIN WOULD NOT BE THE END OF THE WORLD: We often imagine that our feared financial catastrophe—going bankrupt, losing our job, facing foreclosure on our home—would mean the end of life, like a cliff at the edge of the world. I feel this way myself. When I worry about the fallout if I were no longer able to work, my imagination usually stops at “… and then we would lose our house,” which feels like Game Over. And yet, if that were to actually happen it would simply be a challenge that we would need to face together as a family, as so many families have. The ending we imagine exists only in our minds. In reality, life will go on, and no matter what may happen there will be something that comes next. Rather than anticipating a terrible conclusion, you can remember that life is big enough to contain your feared financial outcomes and won’t end even if they come true.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE TOWARD MONEY: “Zen Millionaire” Ken Honda describes practicing arigato with money, which means saying “thank you” each time it’s given or received. Through this practice you can develop what he calls “Happy Money,” in which positive emotions are attached to your money instead of fear, guilt, resentment, and so forth. When we get paid, we can say thank you. When we pass the money along to someone else in exchange for something we need, we can say thank you. When we have unexpected medical bills that drain our savings, we can say thank you that we can afford the care for ourselves or our family members, and that medical expertise is available (I’ve had to use this one myself on multiple occasions). Gratitude is death to anxiety about money.

MAKE A BUDGET: Sometimes anxiety about money comes from not knowing where it’s going or how much we actually have. We might even avoid making a budget and tracking our expenses because of anxiety, like putting off a doctor’s visit because we fear the diagnosis. You can stop this kind of avoidance by leaning directly into it. Don’t worry if you’re not sure where to start—there are many resources available to help. You’ll probably feel more anxiety as you get started, which is normal. As you stick with it and get more familiar with the specifics of your finances, your anxiety will decrease.

LOOK DEEPER THAN MONEY: Anxiety about money typically points to something deeper. You can discover the underlying fears that drive your financial anxiety by asking, what would be the worst thing if _____ happened? Fill in the blank with whatever you’re afraid of—losing your job, not being able to pay the rent, etc. Continue asking yourself what the worst thing would be about what you’re afraid of until you find your deepest fear—is it ending up homeless? Being inadequate? Losing the respect of your friends and family? If you never question your surface-level anxieties, the actual root of your concerns will remain hidden and unaddressed. Once you identify the deeper fear, you can address it directly (perhaps with the assistance of a therapist). For example, you might discover deep-seated beliefs about not deserving to be happy, or about being fundamentally not enough. Your money worries can lessen as you make real changes in these core beliefs. 

BUILD YOUR RELATIONSHIPS: Most of our fretting about money comes from our desire to reach something called “financial security,” in which we no longer are worried about our finances. Unfortunately, this type of security is an illusion. In fact, as our savings and portfolios grow, so do our worries: What if the stock market crashes? What if the financial system goes belly up? As long as we place our faith in our financial situation, we’ll continue to have reason to worry. The best insurance against financial calamity, advises Ken Honda, is to invest in our relationships. Whereas money’s true value comes only from exchanging it for something else like food or clothing, relationships are inherently rewarding. And no matter what happens with our money, the people that truly care about us will be there for us when we need them. On a very practical level, they might offer food or a place to live in a time of crisis. Relationship investments are low risk with a very high rate of return.

OPEN TO UNCERTAINTY: Anxiety about money comes from uncertainty about the future and our lack of control over how things will unfold. We don’t know if our company will downsize, or if the economy will tank, or whether climate change will trigger an economic catastrophe. We often expend tons of energy trying to figure out the future and make it align with our wishes. These efforts to eliminate uncertainty and the anxiety that comes with it actually backfires as they strengthen our implicit belief that we should be able to control the uncontrollable. Why not let go of the struggle? Uncertainty is what makes life an adventure. In fact, the outcomes we fear often turn out better than what we were hoping for, like when a devastating job loss ends up leading to a much more rewarding career. Instead of trying to erase uncertainty about the future, we can embrace it.

SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Popular culture is saturated with images of happiness, wealth, and success. Your social media feeds probably are, too. Thus, it’s easy to start to think that “everyone” is doing fine financially, and that your concerns are unique and personal. This imagined contrast between your situation and everyone else’s can trigger not only anxiety but envy and resentment. It can help to consider those who are worse off than you, and who would give their right arm to have your money worries. I know for myself that the “worst-case scenario” of my financial concerns are a far cry from the kind of abject poverty in which countless people live and die—where children starve, the “middle class” lives in tin shanties, and the homeless die from exposure to the elements.

FINALLY, KEEP IN MIND THAT JOY IS ALWAYS AN OPTION, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES: Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl called “choosing one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances” the “last of human freedoms”—a principle he learned through his experience in a Nazi concentration camp. This maxim applies perfectly to our financial concerns. As we release our anxieties about money, we can more fully enjoy what is ours. Determine today to notice all that you have, including the food you eat, the clothes you wear, and the home that shelters you. No matter what your bank balance says, enjoying your life will feel like truly being rich.

BY: Seth J. Gillihan, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, WebMD, August 13, 2019

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

“7 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Pandemic”

The coronavirus pandemic has led to increased feelings of anxiety and sadness in everyone, especially in those who have underlying mental illness.

We are worried that we ourselves or a family member will contract the disease. Our social media timelines are flooded with stories of people dying in hospitals alone and it is heartbreaking. Not to mention the isolation and feelings of loneliness as a result of social distancing. Many of us will certainly have post-traumatic stress after this is all over.

Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) did a poll in March which found that women and minorities were more likely to say that their lives have been disrupted a lot or some by the coronavirus outbreak.  Overall, 32 percent of individuals felt that worry or stress related to coronavirus has had a negative impact on their mental health.

So, what can we all do to protect our mental health during the coming weeks and perhaps months?

TAKE A SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that you minimize watching, reading or listening to news about COVID-19 that causes you to feel anxious or stressed. Only listen to information from trusted sources and choose one or two specific times during the day to get news updates. The obsessive scrolling on social media is detrimental to your mental health.

STAY CONNECTED: Social distancing does not mean that you need to be cut off from the world. Feelings of isolation and loneliness can trigger a depressive episode especially in people who have underlying depression. Stay connected with your family and friends via Facetime, Skype, Zoom and other messaging platforms. Share openly about your feelings and be willing to listen to their concerns as well.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY: Now is the time for you to make your health a priority. You should be getting adequate amounts of sleep. For an adult, this is at least 7-8 hours each night. Still maintain a healthy diet; try not to binge eat on your sofa.  Stay as active as you can; either indoors or if you choose to exercise outdoors, remember to maintain the six feet social distancing.

MAKE TIME FOR SELF-CARE: Set aside time for yourself every day to do something that makes you feel good. Journal, take a long bath, listen to your favorite music or read a book. Take care of your mind as well. If you are struggling with anxious thoughts, try activities like meditation or yoga. Meditation and deep breathing will decrease your fight and flight response (sympathetic nervous system) to reduce your blood pressure, slow your heart rate and calm you down. You can check out the many meditation apps which are available for free.  Prayer is also a good way to bring peace to your mind and spirit.

HELP OTHERS: Check in on your elderly neighbors; volunteer to get their medications or deliver their groceries so they do not have to leave their home. Be a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. Helping others can help reduce your stress, increases your happiness and gives you a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

DEVELOP BETTER COPING SKILLS: It’s tempting to try to manage our emotional and mental pain with habits such as binge eating or drinking excessive amounts of alcohol but try the healthier coping skills mentioned above.

ASK FOR HELP: If your symptoms of depression and anxiety are causing significant distress and preventing you from doing your daily activities or if you just feel overwhelmed and nothing you’ve done seems to have helped it might be time for you to see a therapist. Many therapists are offering virtual visits so you can speak with them from the safety of your home. This pandemic will not last forever and we will get through this together. Maybe we can come out of this crisis as more resilient individuals.

Dr. Kelly N. Wood, MD is an internal medicine physician, board-certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. Dr. Kelly is currently in clinical practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Through a multi-dimensional platform that addresses the mind, body, and spirit, Dr. Kelly lives out her passion to help others achieve total wellness and lead a balanced life. She makes expert health and wellness advice accessible to all through speaking engagements, media appearances, her Facebook show, and personal blog (drkellywoodmd.com). Beyond the stethoscope, Dr. Kelly is recognized as “The Bounce Back Coach,” helping high-performing women to overcome past hurt to have a healthy and happy relationship. Her debut book, “Bounce Back to Better: Recovering from the Disappointment of a Failed Relationship,” walks readers through her personal journey of reconstructing her life after her engagement ended. Please connect with Dr. Kelly at drkelly@drkellywoodmd.com

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell #FeelFree2SignUpAndFollow

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the Black Doctor and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Black Doctor and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Black Doctor and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Black Doctor and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by Black Doctor, Black Doctor employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of Black Doctor, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.