Potilassidonnainen

Potilassidonnainen is a Finnish term that combines potilas (patient) and sidonnainen (anxious or anxious person). The word is used in medical and psychiatric contexts to denote a patient who experiences significant anxiety or who displays anxious behaviours during hospitalisation. It is not a formal diagnostic category but rather a colloquial descriptor used by clinicians, nurses, and caregivers to communicate the emotional state of the patient.

The concept arose in the 1970s as mental health professionals sought a concise way to refer to patients who exhibited heightened nervousness, restlessness, or fears while receiving inpatient care. It has been adopted in Finnish hospital documentation, nursing notes, and in informal communication between staff members. While “potilassidonnainen” is recognizable among health professionals, it is not included in the ICD or DSM classification systems. Instead, the term may be recorded under a broader category such as “anxiety disorder” or “acute stress reaction” depending on the severity and clinical presentation.

Understanding the term is useful for foreign researchers studying Finnish mental health practices. It reflects the importance of recognising and naming emotional responses that can interfere with treatment adherence, recovery, and overall patient wellbeing. Because the term has no direct English equivalent, it is often translated simply as “anxious patient” in international literature.