Feeling anxious during a doctor visit? Here are some tips to try

While you are waiting to be seen, do you have any of the following thoughts:

Feeling anxious about the long wait for medical treatment?

The medical treatment process is unclear and you have no idea what to do?

Not understanding the diagnosis and feeling cranky and irritable?

In the gynecologic oncology waiting room, whether you are waiting in line for a tumor screening or waiting for the report of the test results, "waiting" can cause anxiety and worry.

You may feel restless or impatient with your loved ones. These emotions are understandable, as anxiety is a normal response to a life-threatening illness.

In fact, in addition to anxiety, we have better ways to deal with it. Anderson Cancer Center collected coping skills for cancer patients to relieve anxiety on social networks and summarized 10 simple and practical tips. This article will share them with you.

10 Ways

Relieve anxiety about medical treatment

1. Pray

Many patients say they find comfort in prayer because they feel out of control when dealing with their cancer, so praying in their hearts gives them something to do and takes their mind off the anxiety.

2. Have confidence in your medical team

Trust your doctors and nursing team to take good care of you. Because that’s our job.

-Full confidence in the medical team-

3. Listen to your favorite music

Whether you're in a waiting room, in your car, at home, or at work, music can help you distract from the pain of your tumor or find the strength and resolve to face it head-on.

4. Have some fun

After all, nothing relieves tension better than laughter.

-Listen to music and stay positive-

5. Do what you love

Whether it's shopping, spending time with friends, or dining out at your favorite restaurant, doing the little things you enjoy will make you worry less about your illness.

6. Exercise

Exercise not only helps you stay fit, but it also boosts the production of mood-boosting endorphins, which can help to take away your worries. To make sure a new exercise is right for you, always talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise to make sure you’re choosing the right exercise for you.

-Do some exercise and stay positive-

7. Relax

You can choose active exercises such as yoga or tai chi, or passive exercises such as massage and acupuncture. Studies have shown that all of these can help cancer patients relax and even have a pain-relieving effect.

8. Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you improve your focus and stay calm during difficult times. Through meditation, you can learn to relax, relieve stress, and deepen your awareness of your body, emotions, and surroundings. It can help you release negative emotions, increase self-efficacy, and reduce the pain caused by illness.

-Continue to be mindful and optimistic-

9. Stay optimistic

Focus on the positive results of this visit, positive thoughts, and learn to accumulate positive emotions.

10. Help another patient

Becoming friends with a patient you can chat with in the waiting room can also help take your mind off your worries, and it will help others in the process.

-Communicate promptly and stay optimistic-

The above techniques

Scientific experiments have proven it’s effective!

If you have other good coping skills

You can leave a message in the background to share with us~

References

[1] MD Anderson. 10 ways to ease stress and anxiety during cancer treatment. Web. MD Anderson cancer center, 27 Feb 2015. https://www.mdanderson.org/.

[2] Traeger L, Greer JA, Fernandez-Robles C, et al. Evidence-Based Treatment of Anxiety in Patients With Cancer [J]. J Clin Oncol, 2012, 30(11): 1197-205.

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Authors: Wang Yun and Hu Yanran from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Mental Health Center

About the Author

Wang Yun

Master of Medicine, Attending Physician, Shanghai Mental Health Center

Has been engaged in clinical diagnosis and treatment of psychiatry and teaching of medical students for a long time

2019 Outstanding Teacher of Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University

Secretary of the CSNP Chinese Depression Researchers Alliance

The first author has published more than ten papers in domestic and foreign journals

Expertise: Clinical diagnosis and treatment of depression and anxiety disorders, neurosis, schizophrenia, and consultation on general psychological issues such as study, work, marriage and love.

Clinic hours: Psychiatry on Tuesday morning, psychological counseling on Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning.

About the Author

Hu Yanran

Master of Medicine, resident physician at the Mental Health Center affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.

Research direction: Diagnosis and treatment of psychosomatic diseases.

Funded by Shanghai Science and Technology Commission's Science Popularization Project

(Project No.: 20DZ2311100)