It's Therapeutic Thursday

Today is Therapeutic Thursday at Aortic Hope.

Who's heard the term "Scanxiety"?

Scanxiety is a term that describes the anxiety or distress that people may feel before, during, or after a scan or imaging test. It can also refer to the apprehension that people with a chronic condition (such as aortic disease) may feel when they're waiting for their next scan. 

Scanxiety can be especially common for people with conditions that require regular exams, such as aortic disease patients who often have tests at regular intervals.

Some common sources of scanxiety include: Waiting for the scan date, Waiting to be called into the scan, Waiting for the results, Anxieties about the scan itself, and Worries about what the results might mean.

Some tips for managing scanxiety include:

-Acknowledging your feelings

-Joining a support group

-Distracting yourself

-Trying meditation

-Learning how you react to scanxiety

-Setting time limits on conscious worries

-Trying to stay in the present moment.

If you think you are experiencing Scanxiety, talk to your physician or therapist for additional tools to help ease your fears.