Is This The First Time Youve Felt This Way
If youâve never had a panic attack and youâre having chest pain, go to the hospital. A doctor should check to make sure youâre not having a serious medical problem, like a heart attack, a blood clot in your lungs, or a collapsed lung. Risk factors for a heart attack include high blood pressure, being overweight, having a close family member who has had a heart attack, and smoking.
Who Decides Whether Or Not Ill Go To The Hospital
In most cases, youll need to make that decision for yourself. The laws vary by state, but usually you can only be hospitalized against your will if you present a clear and present danger to yourself or others. In other words, it has to seem like youre really going to hurt someone if you arent hospitalized. If that is the case, you might be checked into the hospital by a friend or family member, or a mental health professional like a therapist or doctor. But more likely, if one of those people is worried about you, they will try to convince you to check yourself in voluntarily.
In some circumstances, you may want to consider creating a Psychiatric Advance Directive before going to the hospital. This is a written legal document that expresses your wishes about what types of treatments, services and other assistance you want or dont want when you are having difficulty communicating or making decisions. You can also specify which facility youd prefer to be taken to.
Related Topics
Ways To Cure Hospital Anxiety Surgery Fear Fear Of Medicine
What do hospital anxiety, surgery fear and fear of medicine have in common? They are all extremely common things that people get anxious about. In fact, some people become so anxious, these normal fears turn into phobias. Nosocomephobia is the name of the phobia relating to the fear of hospitals. Tomophobia is a fear of surgery or surgical operations. Pharmacophobia is a fear of medicine.
Millions of people have hospital anxiety, fear of surgery, and are afraid to take medicine. Even if the medication is for anxiety, some people claim they are too anxious to take it! But what causes these fears and what can you do about them?
I received this DM in Twitter last week:
I’m having surgery on my knee soon and I am terrified! I just read your anxiety blog and wanted to ask you, what do you think is the best way to deal with anxiety when it comes to things like this?
Read Also: Can Anxiety Disorder Be Cured
Do I Need To Go To The Hospital
Its common for people to go to the hospital because of a mental illness. Sometimes people go specifically because of what the hospital has to offer. Other times, its just the first place we think of when we are in crisis. Understanding what happens when you check yourself into a hospital can help you decide whether its the best option for you right now.
A Day In The Er: Hitting Rock Bottom With My Anxiety
- May 17, 2017
- 6 minute read
As part of Mays Mental Health Month, we shared stories that raised awareness about mental illness and empower those who suffer from it. This piece is part of our Darkest Day series, a collection of stories from people whove made it through the worst of their illness and now light the way for others. #LightYourWay
Every morning before work was exactly the same. Prior to getting out from under the covers, I spent time dreading the day that was ahead of me. Id look out my window at the downtown Manhattan skyline it no longer brought me joy. Then, Id cook scrambled eggs and toast, only to take one tiny bite of each before dumping it all in the trash. This was my life as a 21-year-old who had everything going for her. But, with crippling depression and anxiety, it didnt matter.
Each day in the summer of 2015, when my mental health was at its shakiest, I got weaker and my clothes got baggier. I had no desire to eat, which is how I knew something was seriously wrong. One morning in August, I woke up weaker than usual. What did I expect? Id barely eaten in days. How could I when I felt so horrible? I could barely get out of bed, and when I did, I thought I was going to topple over. My mind raced, I was petrified.
EXCUSE ME. I NEED A DOCTOR! Still no response. RECEPTIONIST. I NEED A DOCTOR. It was a nightmare: Crying and calling out for help, but no one could hear me. How was this real?
Read a review of Talkspace texting therapy.
Also Check: What Are Some Symptoms Of Anxiety
Is Your Anxiety Normal Or A Sign Of Something More Serious
4 min Read Time
Its normal to feel anxiety from time to time. Maybe youre nervous about speaking in public, worried about a health issue or concerned about your finances. As troubling as it can be, occasional angst is not harmful. In fact, it can actually be helpful, serving as the motivation you need to tackle new challenges.
However, too much anxiety isnt healthy. It could also be a warning sign of an anxiety disorder or another medical condition that needs treatment, according to Christina Lynn, MD, medical director of one of HCA Healthcares behavioral health units. We spoke with Dr. Lynn about anxiety, and she offered some insight on whats normal, whats excessive and when it may be a red flag for a serious health issue.
Q: Is it normal to experience bouts of anxiety?
A: Yes, anxiety is a normal response that everyone experiences. Its actually part of what drives people. If we didnt have anxiety, you wouldnt be as motivated to do things. It makes you take that extra step, to dress up a little bit more nicely and make a good first impression. It’s a normal response to stressful events and change. I would actually be more concerned if someone did not have anxiety when coping with change.
Q: At what point does anxiety start to become a problem?
Q: Are there different types of anxiety disorders?
A: Yes, there are many different anxiety disorders.
Q: Do anxiety disorders also cause physical symptoms?
Q: How are anxiety disorders treated?
Get Anxiety Treatment From Experts Who Care
Having feelings of anxiety or an anxiety disorder is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. You dont have to go it alone, either. Anxiety is highly treatable, and its possible to manage it effectively and feel fulfilled.
At the AdventHealth Neuroscience Institute, we can offer you meaningful support from mental health professionals who want to help you feel whole, physically and mentally. Learn more about our our mental health care or reach out to us to get started.
Also Check: What Drugs Are Used To Treat Anxiety And Depression
When To Talk With Your Doctor
Anxiety is linked to many medical conditions, so its always a good idea to speak with your doctor about it. If youre concerned about your feelings of anxiety, thats reason enough to talk with your doctor theres no need to wait.
You dont need to have all of the anxiety symptoms to speak up about them, and you shouldnt wait until they worsen, or you develop new ones. Today is a great time to talk about anxiety with a medical professional who cares about your well-being. With both physical and mental health, prevention always benefits you.
The sooner you have an open and honest conversation about anxiety with a health care professional, the sooner you can feel better.
Coping Support And Resources
In addition to your prescribed treatment, you may want to join a support group. It can be very helpful to talk with other people who are experiencing symptoms similar to yours. Its good to know that you are not alone. Someone else with similar symptoms can understand what youre going through and offer support and encouragement. Being part of a group can also help you develop new social skills.
Your community will likely have several support groups, either for your specific disorder or for anxiety in general. Check with your medical professionals to learn what resources are available in your area. You might ask your:
- mental health provider
- primary doctor
- county mental health services agency
You can also participate in support groups online. This may be a good way to start if you have social anxiety disorder or feel uncomfortable in a face-to-face group setting.
Treatment of diagnosed anxiety is often multi-disciplinary. This means you may see one or all of the following medical practitioners:
- primary care physician
You May Like: Who To See For Social Anxiety
Read Also: Is Lightheadedness A Symptom Of Anxiety
When To See Your Gp
Talk to your GP if the symptoms have made everyday activities difficult for you.
They’ll ask you to:
- how often the symptoms occur
- how long you have had the symptoms
They may also carry out a physical examination to rule out other conditions.
It can be difficult to talk to someone else about your feelings, emotions and personal life. Try not to feel anxious or embarrassed.
You may be diagnosed with panic disorder if you have experienced:
- at least two unexpected panic attacks
- at least a month of continuous worry or concern about having further attacks
Should You Have A Crisis Plan
Morley is just one expert who believes a crisis plan is a good idea. These guides can help you and your loved ones keep an eye out for certain symptoms and the appropriate steps to take if another mental health crisis occurs.
A crisis plan should include the following items:
- the phone number of your therapist or psychiatrist
- phone numbers of friends and family members who are helpful in crises
- your diagnosis and medications
Recommended Reading: Does Bupropion Help With Anxiety
How To Deal With Panic Attacks At Home
Using all of the information provided above, you should probably have a good idea now whether your symptoms are being caused by a panic attack or by a more serious health condition. If you feel comfortable in determining that it is just another panic attack, you can skip the trip to the emergency room altogether and begin to practice ways of stopping a panic attack at home.
Some good tricks to quickly stop a panic attack include:
Can You Go To The Hospital For An Anxiety Attack
You can go to the hospital for an anxiety attack in fact, its pretty common. According to this study, .93% of all emergency department visits in the U.S. were due to anxiety. Thats almost 1 out of every 100 people going to the hospital just for anxiety. Thats quite a bit!
Chances are, if you call an ambulance, the EMT or paramedic that arrives will be able to recognize that you are having a panic attack. Although panic attacks can look a lot like more serious conditions, medical professionals get false alarms with panic attacks all the time, and they know what to look for. Most likely, they will be able to help you calm down after a few minutes or so, and theyll save you the trip to the hospital altogether. If things dont get better on their own, they will likely give you the option to go to the hospital for further examination and treatment.
Panic attack hospital treatment You can be hospitalized for anxiety if it is severe enough and cannot be treated with outpatient care. However, in most cases they will be able to quickly provide some method to help decrease your anxiety and send you on your way.
You May Like: Can Anxiety Cause Ocd Symptoms
What Causes A Depressive Disorder
Although research and advanced imaging continue to offer us clues into this complex mental health disorder,the root causes of depression are still not completely understood. It is believed that 5 factors may play a significant role in whether someone develop a depressive disorder. These include:
Brain chemistry. Ongoing research into the role of brain activity and chemical imbalances shows these to be factors in mood regulation.
Family history. People with a strong family history of depression are more prone to it themselves, demonstrating a genetic component to depression.
Personality. Our unique temperaments play a part in how we process and manage stressful life events.
Life events. Major stressful life events, such as trauma, physical or sexual abuse, unexpected loss of a loved one, divorce, or a serious financial setback can trigger a depressive disorder.
Health conditions. Some health conditions may trigger a depressive disorder, such as cancer, stroke, lupus, dementia, Parkinsons disease, or HIV. The drugs themselves, used to manage medical conditions, can also contribute the side effect of depressed mood.
When Should You Go To The Er For Anxiety
As mentioned, most cases of anxiety do not require medical attention, but if you are experiencing regular panic attacks, you may want to go to an ER, especially if you have chest pains. Sometimes anxiety and panic attacks are early signs of cardiovascular disease. You should also visit an ER if youre experiencing tachycardia which can be fatal in extreme cases. No matter your symptoms, its better to be safe than sorry which is why its always a good idea to be examined by a medical professional.
If youd like to learn more about what happens when you go to the ER with anxiety, reach out to a medical professional at a Village Emergency Center. With locations in Clear Creek, River Oaks, Katy, and Jersey Village, were dedicated to providing expert medical care for any emergency, including extreme cases of anxiety. Our doors are always open even on holidays with no wait time. Emergencies dont wait which is why you shouldnt either. Walk into any location or check-in online today.
- locations
Recommended Reading: Does Aspirin Help With Anxiety
What I Wish I Knew Before I Admitted Myself
Ive had two inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations in my lifethe first when I was 16 and in the juvenile ward. The second, when I was 24 and admitted to the adult ward. Ive gleaned some wisdom that may be helpful if you are readying yourself to enter a behavioral unit: