Do you have a scheduled operation? Are you experiencing palpitations? Insomnia? Panic just thinking about it?

You are not alone. Around 6 out of 10 patients feel a preoperative anxiety Before surgery. That's normal. But do you know how to Are you anxious?

This free 2-minute test will tell you.

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Why do this pre-operative anxiety test?

The problem: Pre-operative anxiety is not insignificant.

Imagine: You're afraid of falling asleep. Or afraid it will hurt afterwards. Or you need to understand EVERYTHING to feel better.

These three "fears" are not treated in the same way.

Preoperative anxiety (60-80% of patients) is not "just in their head" — it is measurable and has real impacts:

📊 Figures :

• + 30-40% of post-op pain if you are very anxious (Nature Medicine 2025)
• + 20-30% anesthesia needed to put you to sleep
• Twice as much nausea wake
• Slower psychological healing (longer time to feel like "you")

Conversely, according to the HAS (French National Authority for Health, 2024), Good psychological preparation = -40-60% anxiety and better overall results.

The solution: Understand your pre-operative anxiety profile

This test uses theCALM (Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale) — the globally used reference tool since 2002 by anesthesiologists and psychologists for identify your preoperative anxiety profile.

It's not just a score. It's a personal card :

• Are you afraid of anesthesia? → Need technical reassurance
• Are you afraid of the outcome? → Need to clarify expectations
• Do you need to know EVERYTHING? → Need detailed information
• Are you panicking? → You need pre-operative psychological support

Each profile has its own solution.

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Why APAIS, and not another test?

Scientific validity of APAIS

The CALM It's not "just" an internet test. It's:

✅ Created in 2002 by Boker et al. in a rigorous study (Anesthesia & Analgesia)

✅ Translated into 15+ languages and tested in over 1000 global clinical studies

✅ Validated in French (2013) by Jeannot et al.

✅ Compared favorably with the STAI (Anxiety Test) and the HADS — and faster (6 questions vs 20-40)

✅ Recommended by the HAS to assess thepreoperative anxiety in adults

✅ Used daily in public hospitals (university hospitals, clinics) in France

💡 In short: It's the equivalent of the "gold standard test" in hospital medicine. Not a marketing app.

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The 4 profiles of preoperative anxiety (It's up to you to see which one you are)

Profile 1: "I'm afraid of anesthesia"

Your fears Not waking up | Talking uncontrollably | Choking | Losing control during sleep

Why are It's fear #1 according to Nature Medicine 2025Ironically, anesthesia is the the safest medical procedure in the world (1 death per 100,000 cases).

Your solution :

1. Request an educational video about anesthesia (your surgeon has one).
2. Meet with the anesthesiologist (this is mandatory, 48 hours in advance) — ask about EVERYTHING that's stressing you out
3. Understanding continuous monitoring (heart, oxygen, blood pressure constantly monitored)

💡 Consulting Ask the anesthesiologist to show you the monitoring room with you. Knowing that you are being watched is reassuring.

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Profile 2: "I'm afraid of the result or the pain"

Your fears Pain upon waking | Result not as expected | Visible scar | Complications

Why are : According to Wilson et al. (2017), 47% of patients regret their operation if their expectations are unclear, vs only 14% if that's clear.

Your solution :

1. Clarify your expectations with the surgeon: "What will I actually see? What will it look like in 1 month? 3 months? 1 year?"
2. Requesting a pain management plan (like analgesia, it makes all the difference)
3. Check our resources: Post-Operative Schedule to view week by week

💡 Consulting : Request realistic "before/after" photos of similar patients (not the "best cases").

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Profile 3: "I need to understand EVERYTHING to feel better"

Your fears The unknown | The vague details | Looking silly when asking questions

Why are You are not "hyper-anxious", you are methodical. For you, to know = to calmThat's normal and it's a strength.

Your solution :

1. Request a educational consultation with the team (even if it's not planned)
2. Ask 100 questions if you like — doctors LOVE methodical patients
3. Read all the guides: Surgery Quiz to demystify the vocabulary

💡 Consulting The more questions you ask, the less you panic. It's scientific.

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Profile 4: "I'm seriously panicking, I'm even considering cancelling."

Your fears Insomnia | Panic attacks | Tremors | Wanting to cancel everything

Why are You probably have a severe preoperative anxiety And that's legitimate.

Your solution (recommended by the HAS):

1. ⚠️ Consult a psychologist specialize in CBT/anxiety BEFORE the operation
2. 3-6 sessions are often enough to shift from "panic" to "healthy apprehension"
3. The anesthesiologist may add a mild premedication (midazolam) if necessary.
4. You don't have to cancel just yet — with preparation, it'll be fine.

💡 Consulting : Official resource To find a psychologist in France, search for "CBT" or "preoperative anxiety".

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Important: What you need to know BEFORE you begin

This test is NOT a diagnosis

This test assesses your situational anxiety (normal in the face of surgery) using a scientifically validated tool. Only a doctor or psychologist can diagnose a anxiety disorder (different).

Who should NOT take this test

• ❌ You have or have had a eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia)
• ❌ You are pregnant or within 6 months postpartum
• ❌ You have some suicidal thoughts or severe depression
• ❌ You are in acute panic attack at the moment

In such cases Call your doctor or the 3114 (National suicide prevention hotline). Not this test.

We still recommend it

✅ If your score is high → Talk to your anesthesiologist

✅ If you are truly panicking → Consult a pre-operative psychologist

✅ If you need information → Ask the surgeon all your questions

This test is like a first assessment — not the complete solution.

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Your questions answered

Is it normal to be afraid before an operation?

Yes, it's actually very common. About 60-80% of patients they have a preoperative anxiety — It's a physiological reaction to the unknown.

What matters: That you talk to someone about it (surgeon, anesthesiologist, psychologist).

Does this test replace the pre-anesthetic consultation?

No. The pre-anesthetic consultation is required by law (48 hours before). This is where you talk about your preoperative anxiety to the anesthesiologist. This test is just so that you understand your profile before.

Where can I consult a psychologist if I need one?

👉 Official directory of psychologists in France

Look for someone who specializes in CBT/anxiety ou pre-surgical preparation3-6 sessions are often sufficient.

Is my data safe?

Yes. This test:

• 🔒 Works 100% on your computer (nothing is sent)
• 🔒 Don't ask no personal data
• 🔒 Do not use no cookies feedback
• 🔒 Respect 100% GDPR compliant (medical confidentiality)

Your result remains private and anonymous.

Should I postpone my surgery if I am very anxious?

No, except in exceptional circumstances. With a Good preparation (information, relaxation techniques, psychological consultation), thepreoperative anxiety decreases by 40-60% (HAS 2024).

Anxious patients who are well-prepared have excellent results.

What is the difference between "normal" anxiety and an anxiety disorder?

	Normal anxiety	Anxiety disorder
Duration	A few days before the operation	Weeks/months, persists after
Cause	Surgery imminent	No clear, persistent cause
Uncomfortable	Manageable	Interferes with daily life
Effect of information	getting better	It persists even with explanations.

This test measures normal anxietyA diagnosed anxiety disorder requires a professional.

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What to do after the test

If you have a normal score (< 4)

✅ You are ready. Simply follow the pre-operative instructions (diet, medication, etc.)

👉 Resource : Post-Operative Schedule to prepare for your recovery

If you have moderate anxiety (4-7)

⚡ This is common. You need more information or reassurance.

👉 Things to do :

1. Ask your surgeon/anesthetist questions
2. Read our guides: Surgery Quiz
3. View your recovery: Post-Operative Schedule

If you have severe anxiety (> 7)

🚨 Consult a PRE-operative psychologist (the HAS recommends it).

👉 Things to do :

1. 👉 Find a specialist psychologist
2. Consult your anesthesiologist (they may prescribe mild premedication).
3. Discuss with your surgeon if you need to adjust the date
4. Use relaxation/breathing techniques

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Continue your surgical preparation

You have evaluated your preoperative anxiety Continue with our other free tools:

1️⃣ Check your CPAM eligibility

Support Simulator

Find out if your operation can be reimbursed (aesthetic vs. functional difference).

2️⃣ Visualize your recovery

Post-Operative Calendar

Day by day: what's happening, the objectives, when you can resume activities.

3️⃣ Demystifying surgery

Medical Quiz

Test your knowledge, understand the vocabulary, be in control.

These 4 tools (anxiety + management + morphology + recovery) form a complete pathway.

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Sources & References (Verifiable, Clinical)

Each statement in this test is based on an official study or recommendation.

The CALMING tool (what you do)

[1] Boker A, Brownell L, Donen N. (2002). “The Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS): The first report of this new validated questionnaire. » Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, 49 (8), 792-798.
🔗 Read on PubMed

[2] Jeannot JM, Boker A, Donen N. (2013). “Validation of the French version of the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS). »
🔗 Access PubMed Central

[3] Gürler H, Baygar T. (2022). “Preoperative Anxiety Levels in Surgical Patients: A Comparison of Three Different Scale Scores.” »
🔗 Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing

Prevalence and Impact of Preoperative Anxiety

[4] BMJ Open. (2022). “Prevalence of preoperative anxiety in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. »

Key data: 55.7% prevalence across 27 studies, 5,575 patients.

[5] Nature Medicine. (2025). “Impact of preoperative stress on surgical outcomes: a systematic review.” »

Data: Anxiety → +30-40% post-op pain, +20-30% anesthetic consumption.

[6] SARAF (Algerian Society of Resuscitation). (2024). "Reducing preoperative anxiety: a priority in anesthetic practice."
🔗 Direct access

Official Recommendations (HAS & Ministry)

[7] High Authority for Health (HAS). (2024). "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programs."
🔗 Official HAS website

Recommendation: "Information and psychological preparation" = priority.

[8] Sofia.Medicalistes.fr. (2016). "Premedication of the patient before general anesthesia."

Étude PremedX (5 university hospitals, 1062 patients): "The psychological approach is more effective than pharmacological premedication."

Surgical Regret & Realistic Expectations

[9] Wilson SJ, Brown DL, Sapra S, et al. (2017). “Regret in Surgical Decision Making: A Systematic Review of Patient and Physician Perspectives.” » JAMA Surgery, 152(3), e170089.

Data: Regret = 14.4% (clear expectations) vs 47% (vague expectations).

Founder: The Importance of Information

[10] Egbert LD, Battit GE, Welch CE, Bartlett MK. (1963). “Reduction of post-operative pain by encouragement and instruction of patients. » The New England Journal of Medicine, 270 (16), 825-827.
🔗 PubMed

Classic cited since: Show thatOral information significantly reduces post-operative anxiety AND pain.

Official Resources

[11] Order of Psychologists France. "Directory of specialized psychologists."
👉 Find a psychologist

[12] Health Insurance (Ameli). "Patient rights: Pre-anesthetic consultation."
👉 Ameli.fr

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Our commitment to you

✅ Free Zero fees, zero registration, zero harassment

✅ Anonymous No personal data, no cookies, no tracking:

✅ Scientist Based on validated APAIS, verifiable sources

✅ Neutral No promotion of surgeons, no commercial incentives

✅ inclusive Accessible to all, French or French-speaking patients, regardless of your level of education

You deserve clear, simple, and reliable information before your operation. That's our mission.

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Last update: December 2025 | Reviewed by the GuideChirurgie team | Compliant with HAS 2024

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