Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a powerful diagnostic tool that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the body’s internal structures. While the procedure itself is non-invasive and painless, the experience of being in a confined space can trigger significant anxiety or claustrophobia for many people. The necessary stillness and the loud, repetitive noises produced by the machine combine to make the experience stressful. Recognizing these common fears is the first step toward developing a strategy to complete the scan successfully.
Preparation Steps Before Scan Day
A successful MRI begins with proactive communication and physical preparation. Inform your referring doctor and the imaging facility staff about any history of anxiety or claustrophobia when scheduling the appointment. This conversation allows the facility to make accommodations, such as scheduling you during a quieter time or offering a wider-bore machine if one is available at their location.
If your anxiety is severe, discuss the option of taking a sedative or anti-anxiety medication with your physician. Medications like Diazepam or Xanax may be prescribed to help you relax during the procedure, but they must be obtained ahead of time from your doctor, as the imaging center cannot provide them. If you choose this route, it is mandatory to arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home after the scan.
On the day of the scan, wear comfortable clothing that is free of metal, such as sweatpants and a t-shirt. You will be asked to remove all jewelry, watches, hairpins, and any other metallic accessories, including items with zippers or metal snaps. Arriving early allows you time to check in, use the restroom, and mentally prepare without feeling rushed.
Active Management of Claustrophobia and Noise
Once you are in the MRI suite, you will be positioned on a sliding table that moves into the scanner, which is a lighted, ventilated tunnel open at both ends. Depending on the body part being imaged, it may be possible to request going into the machine feet-first, which can reduce the feeling of confinement since your head may not need to be fully enclosed. For exams of the knee or foot, for instance, only the limb may need to be inside the machine.
The machine generates loud, repetitive banging and thumping sounds as the magnetic field is rapidly switched on and off during image acquisition. To manage this noise, you will be provided with earplugs or headphones, which are necessary to protect your hearing and minimize distraction. Many facilities can play music through the headphones, allowing you to choose a calming playlist to listen to during the scan.
You will be given a patient call button, often a small squeeze ball, to hold throughout the procedure. Squeezing this button immediately alerts the technologist, who is monitoring you visually and audibly from the control room. You can also communicate with the technologist through a two-way microphone and speaker system to ask for updates or express any discomfort.
Internal Mental Coping Techniques
Your internal focus can be shifted using deliberate mental techniques. It is helpful to keep your eyes closed from the moment you are positioned on the table, preventing you from seeing the inside of the narrow tunnel. Some facilities can provide a washcloth or eye mask to cover your eyes, which eliminates the visual trigger of the enclosed space.
Controlled breathing is a powerful tool for managing anxiety. Focusing on slow, deep inhales through the nose and equally slow exhales through the mouth helps regulate your body’s panic response and promotes a sense of calm. You can practice a technique such as box breathing, where you inhale for a count, hold, exhale for that count, and hold again.
Visualization is another effective mental strategy, involving closing your eyes and vividly imagining yourself in a peaceful, open environment, such as a favorite beach or a quiet field. Alternatively, you can use distraction techniques like silently counting backward from a large number or mentally reciting the lyrics to a familiar song. These activities occupy the mind and prevent it from focusing on the physical sensations of confinement.
What to Do If You Need to Stop
You maintain control over the procedure at all times. If you feel that panic is overwhelming you or you simply cannot continue, you should immediately use the patient call button or squeeze ball provided. This action notifies the technologist, who will stop the scanning sequence and slide the table out of the machine.
The technologist is trained to handle patient distress and will not pressure you to continue if you are genuinely unable to do so. Stopping the scan is safer than trying to push through a panic attack, both for your well-being and the quality of the images. If a break is all you need, the scan can often be restarted after a short time. Otherwise, the procedure can be rescheduled for another day with a different anxiety management plan.