Going Through Psychological Assessments For Spinal Stimulation Surgery

By Joseph Cooper


Many doctors require patients to be in good overall health prior to undergoing any kind of operation. Along with being physically healthy, they also typically must be of sound mind in order to understand what will happen to them both during and after the operation. When you plan on going through an operation on your back, you may need to first undergo thorough psychological assessments for spinal stimulation surgery. You can prepare for this examination by understanding of what it will consist.

For many people, the idea of going through an operation even one that is relatively minor can be particularly nerve wracking and frightening. For example, they may not want to think about being put to sleep under general sedation for an unknown amount of time. They might be afraid of not being able to wake up and lingering in a coma. They also may be afraid of what the surgeons and nurses will do to them during the time they are sedated. This loss of control can be enough to damage an already fragile person's psyche.

Some of your fears may come from the simple fact of not knowing what will go on when you are asleep. You fear not knowing what parts of your body will be cut open and who will be in the operating room while you are under anesthesia. Having these concerns addressed could calm most or all of your worries.

Yet another aspect of this assessment will delve into your readiness to be an active part of your own recovery at home. During the time you are in the hospital, you will be at the whims of your nurses and doctors. You will not have much choice but to follow along with whatever they tell you to do. When you are at home, however, it will be up to you to follow your doctor's orders. Your care team will need to understand your willingness to do what is asked of you while you recuperate.

Similarly, your physician will ask about your expectations for the procedure and what you hope to get out of it. Some patients have unrealistic expectations and even expect to be totally cured afterwards. For some people, these expectations are not realistic. You will be asked what you envision for yourself afterwards.

You yourself might find yourself corrected by your surgical team. You may have every hope the procedure will cure you of whatever ails you. However, your team may advise you that the procedure is only part of the process of getting better. Being corrected could be a part of your assessment.

This assessment will be done several days or weeks prior to your surgical appointment. It gives your surgeons plenty of time to prepare you for what lies ahead. It also allows them time to prescribe medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicines that could calm your nerves beforehand.

Going through most kinds of surgery typically will involve going through a thorough psychological assessment first. This test will be administered several days or weeks before the actual operation is scheduled and done. It is one aspect of making sure the doctor does not do any more harm than absolutely necessary to the patient in question.




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