Guide for patients & caregivers
Claustrophobic Before an MRI: What to Ask
Anxious about an arranged MRI? Contact the imaging team early to discuss communication, local support and any clinician-directed preparation.
Prepared with AI assistance and checked against the cited sources. No independent clinician review has been completed. How we prepare articles
Contact the service early
If you feel anxious or fear enclosed spaces, tell the MRI service before your appointment. Ask who can discuss support with you.
This guide concerns adults with an arranged scan. It does not diagnose an anxiety disorder or choose a scan or medicine.
Explain what worries you and, if relevant, what happened during a difficult or interrupted earlier scan. Keep uncertain details marked as uncertain.
Ask how communication works
MRI staff can speak with you during the examination. Ask how you will contact them if you feel uncomfortable and how a request to stop would be handled.
Some services allow a support person or have different scanner arrangements. Ask what the team can offer for your examination; do not assume any particular option is available or suitable.
Get the team's instructions
If a clinician proposes medicine, ask for their preparation and travel instructions. Do not copy another person's medicine plan.
Keep other questions separate
For implant documents, use the separate MRI implant-information guide. This page does not replace the service's screening process.
If you think you may not complete the scan, tell the imaging and arranging teams. Discuss the next step rather than independently delaying time-sensitive care.
Sources and further reading
For patients & caregivers
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