Some of the factors that cause stress in the hospital are:

• Unfamiliarity of surroundings.
• Having strangers sleep in the same room.
• Having to eat cold or tasteless food.
• Being awakened in the night by the nurse.
• Loss of independence.
• Having to eat at different times than usual.
• Having to wear a hospital gown.
• Not having the call light answered.
• The patient who is entering a hospital is under many emotional pressures.
• Separation from spouse.
• Separation from family.
• Financial problems.
• Isolation from other people.
• Having an unfriendly roommate.
• Not having friends visit.
• Having staff in too much of a hurry to talk, or more importantly, listen.
• Lack of information.
• Not having questions answered by staff members.
• Having nurses or doctors who talk too fast. Nervousness and preoccupation often make it difficult to fully concentrate on what is being said. Needless to say, patients often have plenty on their minds, so it is crucial that you explain things patiently and slowly and be prepared to repeat instructions and explanations. Do not assume that because you have explained something once, your job is done.
• Not knowing the reasons for (or the results of) treatments.
• Threat of severe illness.
• Fear that appearance will be changed after hospitalization.
• Being hospitalized after an accident and suspecting the worst.
• Thinking he/she may have cancer.
• Problems with medications.
• Having medications cause discomfort (that is., chemotherapy).
• Not getting relief from pain.
• Not getting pain medication when needed.