MRI and Claustrophobia: Finding Ways to Cope
Claustrophobia is an irrational fear of being enclosed and having no way to escape. Unfortunately, that is the very essence of the traditional MRI, which slides a patient into a tube, so strong magnetic fields and radio waves can create images of the internal structures of the body.
HealthResearchFunding.org reports that while only about 13 percent of patients who undergo an MRI have a severe panic attack during the procedure, most feel at least some anxiety and discomfort. This type of imaging is a critical diagnostic tool, though, so finding ways to cope with the stress of being enclosed is important. How can one go about managing that anxiety and getting through an MRI?
Know What Scares You
What you may perceive as claustrophobia might be complicated or something else like a fear of the radiation, so understanding more about the test can clarify things. Ask your doctor or the technician to explain to you how the test works and what the risks are before going into the tube. This allows you to resolve any other fears that might be increasing your anxiety, even if you don’t realize it. Just knowing what is going to happen and why might reduce some of the stress.