Feeling anxious before surgery? Anxiety can harm healing but innovative mental health support could help

Feeling anxious before surgery? Anxiety can harm healing but innovative mental health support could help

Poor mental health before surgery is linked to worse outcomes. (Unsplash), CC BYFeeling anxious before surgery is normal — but for many patients, it goes far beyond nerves. There is a growing body of research showing that poor mental health before surgery can derail recovery in ways that extend far beyond the operating room. For example, in recent research, my colleagues and I found that anxiety and depressive symptoms before surgery are linked …

Taming the tremors in refractive surgery

Anxious patients can be more restless during surgery, risking complications. Image: Vision Eye Institute. Refractive surgery, while a life-changing procedure for many, can be a significant source of anxiety for patients. Anecdotally, we observed that highly anxious patients exhibit increased restlessness during surgery, potentially leading to a higher risk of complications. This underscores the importance of addressing anxiety before the procedu…