Measures of anxiety: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety (HADS-A)

Anxiolytic use in the postoperative care unit

Postoperative anxiety has received less attention historically than preoperative anxiety. Recognition that anxiety occurs throughout the perioperative period has led to increased interest in identifying and treating anxiety in the postoperative period. This article outlines the causes of postoperative anxiety, how it is classified, the effects of anxiety on outcomes after surgery, and some of the clinical procedures that produce the highest levels of anxiety for patients. In addition, an attempt is made to delineate the major risk factors for developing postoperative anxiety and the classic therapeutic modalities used to reduce symptoms and treat the psychological manifestations of anxiety.