Preparation for surgery should be carried out both by the physical state of the body and its psychological state. This will contribute to positive results. In preparation for the operation, certain work must be done.
Risk of loss of control
Before the operation and hospitalization, the patient may have a feeling of loss of control over his body, situation, environment, pain and his state of mind. Therefore, it is important to try to regain control of any supposedly seeming trifles that the patient can control. The following aspects should be applied:
- personal items from home (sheets, pajamas, hand cream and so on). These items will transform the room into a more comfortable place and will strengthen the control over the environment and situation.
- arrangement of support during hospitalization: placement of children, a friend who will collect homework during the hospitalization of your child, a person who will prepare food at home. Organization of life in your absence will help improve the patient’s condition.
- information on the procedures, staff and the department should be obtained. Knowledge means power. Having information about the operation can reduce the patient’s anxiety and improve his mental state. Information about upcoming procedures can be obtained from doctors and staff, and from conversations with other patients who underwent such an operation, as well as on the Internet. The patient should be able to ignore information that raises anxiety (for example, talking with a patient who has a more serious case.). Such information, on the contrary, can worsen your condition and lead to an undesirable effect, so it is important to choose the sources of information correctly.
- preoperative orientation and knowledge of the surgical procedure (passage from the ward to the operating room, the temperature in the operating room). All this increases the sense of control and reduces the level of anxiety at times when the patient’s emotional state is at its peak.
It is necessary to prepare home for returning after surgery. Buy suitable products that you will need after surgery, purchase pain medications, and so on.
Thinking change
Interventions affect thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Behavior can help change the pattern of thinking that affects the level of anxiety before surgery. The assumption that everyone has basic beliefs was organized for the world, such as: “This will not happen to me,” “The world is a relatively safe place.” General illnesses and operations, in particular, can destroy these beliefs and leave a person helpless. This can cause additional anxiety. Therefore it is necessary to carry out targeted psychological actions that will help restore the patient’s positive beliefs so as to reduce anxiety before surgery.
These methods of changing consciousness can help the patient cope with the operation and its consequences. General distortions look dichotomous, black predictions, a negative filter.
Abilities to cope with the problem
Each person has his own abilities and capabilities for solving crisis situations, especially for such as surgery. However, these forces are often inaccessible or hidden, then everyone must find a way that will personally help him, using professional advice, support from the outside resources. Each person with patience, perseverance, and desire can overcome these difficult periods.
Inner strength
Hope, optimism, self-confidence, a positive outlook on the state can help decrease anxiety. Hope for a positive outcome mobilizes internal forces, their physical and mental abilities. Optimism helps to overcome depression, hope will make the pain much less unpleasant, self-confidence will help to believe that the difficult period is over.