What Causes Anxiety After Surgery?
Anxiety after surgery is a very relatable experience that can be caused by a number of factors. Surgery involves relinquishing control over your body and health and relying on medical professionals for your well-being. This can be unsettling for many people and may contribute to post-operative anxiety.
Postoperative pain and discomfort can significantly contribute to anxiety as well. Concerns about pain management and the normalcy of certain pain levels can exacerbate these feelings. Pain can also disrupt your sleep, leaving you groggy and feeling a bit unsettled. Unfortunately, some of the medications used to control pain can increase your anxiety levels or alter your mood.
Of course, surgery itself is a stressful event. The stress of undergoing surgery and worrying about the outcome, along with the physical and financial implications, can be overwhelming and lead to anxiety. Surgeries involving major procedures and those that impact mobility can lead to anxiety about physical limitations and the process of rehabilitation. Patients may worry about their ability to return to their normal activities or lifestyle.
Recovering from surgery can also be quite isolating. Social activities and interactions with coworkers and family members may be limited. This can make you feel alone and stripped of your support system, which can lead to anxiety.
Is Anxiety After Surgery Normal?
Experiencing anxiety after surgery is completely normal and is a very common occurrence. Surgery completely disrupts normal life, and major surgeries with long recovery periods can do so for quite some time. Although you may feel isolated and alone as you recover, know that you are not. Anxiety is a very real and understandable issue after surgery, and many people experience it.
Can Anesthesia Cause Anxiety After Surgery?
Anesthesia can cause anxiety after surgery, but it tends to do so indirectly. The process of recovering from anesthesia can be disorienting and confusing. You may not feel fully alert for several days following anesthesia. This often causes feelings of vulnerability and heightened anxiety in patients.
Benefits of Postoperative Telehealth Anxiety Evaluations
Anxiety can be an overwhelming and sometimes crippling feeling. Talking about it often helps, and a telehealth chat with a medical professional gives you a chance to do just that. Together the two of you can determine how intense your anxiety is and discuss strategies for managing it. A telehealth anxiety evaluation means you don’t have to try and overcome post-op anxiety on your own.