{"id":506,"date":"2015-05-13T20:46:05","date_gmt":"2015-05-13T20:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rayusradiology.com\/?p=506"},"modified":"2023-02-22T11:31:06","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T17:31:06","slug":"your-mri-facing-fears-and-conquering-claustrophobia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rayusradiology.com\/blog\/your-mri-facing-fears-and-conquering-claustrophobia\/","title":{"rendered":"Your MRI: Facing Fears and Conquering Claustrophobia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Back in the days of the caveman, a fear of being trapped was helpful. It might have kept you alive. It could have prevented you from becoming something else\u2019s dinner. Even today, Dr. Todd Farchione of Boston University\u2019s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders<\/a> says the fear of getting cornered can be useful. \u201cIt\u2019s not good for a boxer to get in the corner because they don\u2019t have many options to get out of the situation, so that\u2019s a very dangerous place to be.\u201d But Dr. Farchione draws a fine line between dangerous situations and those that induce the same reaction but aren\u2019t really dangerous. One modern-day example is the MRI.<\/p>\n

There are countless diagnostic uses for an MRI. But for a lot of patients, the thought of the exam is enough to induce panic. Forget how it helps them diagnose and treat health challenges. That machine is huge and loud and you have to go inside! Many people describe their feelings about the exam as claustrophobia, though Dr. Farchione points back to evolution. An MRI can make people feel vulnerable and tap into that age-old caveman instinct, paralyzing some with fear.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Conquering Claustrophobia with Real Relaxation<\/h3>\n
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What do you do in a stressful situation? Chances are, you tell yourself to relax. You might even try some relaxation techniques like square breathing or hypnosis (for more, click here<\/a>). But going into an MRI armed only with the idea that you need to relax is a \u201cmixed bag\u201d according to Dr. Farchione:<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes it backfires because, as the person is trying to apply it. They may notice like, wow, it\u2019s not working the way I wanted it to work. It\u2019s not going to work. Oh my god, it\u2019s not working! It\u2019s not working! I\u2019m out of here!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

He suggests being aware of your breathing, but focusing more on changing your physical response. If your shoulders are tensed up to your ears, push them back down. If your hands are clenched into fists, release your fingers. If you have a look of fear on your face, try smiling. \u201cDoing the opposite often helps the emotion diminish faster,\u201d says Dr. Farchione. \u201cIt sort of cuts off the emotional response very quickly.\u201d For more on how to do this, watch this video:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n