To stay calm during a breast MRI, communicate with the technologist, use deep breathing and visualization, listen to music, and consider options like sedation or a wider bore machine if needed, using the call button for control and focusing on the machine's downtime between noises. Practicing mindfulness and planning distractions can help manage anxiety in the enclosed space.
Here are a few tips to help calm your nerves and improve your overall experience:
5 ideas for what to do during an MRI to relieve anxiety
If you are concerned about how you will tolerate your MRI exam, we urge you to ask your doctor to develop a plan to help you. If you are having a MRI appointment, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication for you to take to minimize your anxiety.
Increased movement can result in the images being blurred or of poorer quality but being in an enclosed space can cause some people to become stressed, and in some more extreme cases, cause panic attacks.
If you suffer from claustrophobia (fear of confined spaces), talk to your doctor when your MRI is ordered so you come to the scan with some type of sedation, such as Xanax or Diazepam (Valium).
Patients with certain conditions that may prevent them from staying still in the MRI machine, such as claustrophobia, anxiety, or a condition that causes physical pain, may have an MRI with anesthesia. It is also common for children to have an MRI with anesthesia, since it is often difficult for them to remain still.
If you are claustrophobic and anxious about getting an MRI, you are not alone. Claustrophobia affects about 12.5% of the population, but getting an MRI can pose significant issues for more than 9% since MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans involve inserting the patient into a large magnetic tube.
To diagnose an anxiety disorder, a doctor performs a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and recommends a blood test, which helps the doctor determine if another condition, such as hypothyroidism, may be causing your symptoms. The doctor may also ask about any medications you are taking.
Many MRI procedures don't require your head to go inside the machine at all, but if you need a head or upper spine MRI, you'll appreciate the fact our machine provides a full 12 inches of clearance between your face and the wall – relieving stress for our patients with claustrophobia.
We recommend that the physician requesting the study prescribe two (2) Lorazepam 1 mg tablets, and that the patient should fill the prescription prior to their MRI appointment. The patient should take one (1) tablet 1-2 hours prior to their MRI appointment.
If you have claustrophobia and need to have an MRI scan, let the staff at the hospital know before the day of your appointment. You can talk to your consultant about having a sedative to help you relax. You should do this well in advance of having the scan.
During the test, breathe normally and lie as still as you can. The breast MRI appointment may take 30 minutes to one hour.
Full-protocol breast MRI — Also known as a traditional breast MRI, this procedure involves using a contrast agent and takes 30-60 minutes. It may be recommended as a screening exam in addition to mammography if you are at high risk for breast cancer, or if you have breast cancer or symptoms of breast cancer.
A: a typical breast MRI takes about 30 minutes. Q: Will the breast MRI hurt? A: We make every effort to make you comfortable for your breast MRI. The test itself should not cause any pain, although some people do find it uncomfortable to lie on their stomachs.
Additional coping mechanisms include listening to music or watching a video or movie, closing or covering the eyes, and holding a panic button. The open MRI is a machine that is open on the sides rather than a tube closed at one end, so it does not fully surround the patient.
MRI noises can range anywhere from 65 decibels to 130 decibels. They can often go above 90 to 100 decibels, requiring the patient to wear ear protection. For your reference, common loud noises measure at these decibel levels: 70 decibels: Alarm clock or vacuum cleaner.
Anaesthesia and sedatives
An MRI scan is a painless procedure, so anaesthesia (painkilling medication) isn't usually needed. If you're claustrophobic, you can ask for a mild sedative to help you relax. You should ask your GP or consultant well before having the scan.
You Are in Control
If, at any point during the MRI procedure, you begin to feel overwhelmed or feel a panic attack coming on, you can always ask them to pause the exam. Knowing you're in control at all times can help ease MRI claustrophobia and anxiety and allow you to have a positive experience.
Ask your doctor for a sedative
Medication is often necessary if you're worried that claustrophobia could induce a panic attack during the MRI. If you know you'll need extra assistance with relaxation during an MRI, you can ask your doctor to prescribe a sedative to put you to sleep for your MRI scan.
Teas for stress and anxiety relief
The #1 worst habit for anxiety isn't singular, but avoidance (procrastination), poor sleep, and negative thought patterns (like catastrophizing) are top contenders, creating vicious cycles where anxiety fuels these behaviors, and the behaviors, in turn, worsen anxiety by preventing healthy coping and creating more stress. Other significant habits include excessive caffeine, poor diet, too much screen time, and social withdrawal, all disrupting the body's ability to manage stress effectively.
The idea is simple: set a timer for five minutes and commit to a task you've been avoiding. When the timer ends, you can stop—guilt-free. Ironically, once you start, you often find the momentum to continue. This technique reduces overwhelm and helps people shift from “I can't” to “I can at least start.”