Cause Of Anxiety Attacks
Anxiety attacks are usually although not always caused by severe stress. The symptoms depend on the type of attack. The term anxiety attack is sometimes used interchangeably with the term panic attack, but may also refer to any periods of extreme anxiety beyond what a person normally experiences.
The Length Of Hospitalization For Severe Breakdowns
In some instances of nervous breakdown, a hospital stay may be necessary for stabilization and treatment. Reasons to hospitalize a patient include talk of suicide or death, violence toward others, self-harm, symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations and delusions, or a complete inability to function at all. In all of these cases the mental health crisis is severe and could result in harm to the patient, or the patient may be considered harmful to others.
The duration of the severe episode varies, but most patients can be stabilized within a few days. However, the length of stay in the hospital is often longer. One study found that among thousands of patients with severe mental illness, the average length of hospitalization was 10 days. Stays are longer when patients are taken to dedicated psychiatric hospitals than when they are sent to regular hospitals.
When Leaving The Hospital
If you were admitted voluntarily, you may have the option of checking out against medical advice which, in other words means, if you feel you are ready to leave the hospital on your own without a “green light” from your doctor, you maybe be allowed to go. However, if your hospitalization was court ordered, or if a family member admitted you involuntarily, you will need to complete an evaluation process to determine if you are in a condition to care for yourself outside of 24-hour inpatient care. Every facility has different policies and procedures, so check with the facility in which you are seeking or receiving care.
Below are some questions you can ask regarding your discharge:
- Who will make the evaluation for my discharge? When will this happen?
- What can my family and I expect when I am discharged?
- Will someone advise me and my family about adjustment concerns such as the need for further counseling or a medication schedule?
- Will I be on medications? Which ones? What is the dosage?
- How will these medications help? Are they habit-forming? What are the side effects?
- How long will I have to take this medication?
- If I leave the hospital without permission how will the hospital handle this? If this occurs, what is my family’s responsibility?
- How soon after I have been discharged can I continue with my schoolwork?
- What follow-up treatment or support group options should I consider?
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What Are The Side Effects
There are no direct side effects to a hospital stay, but there may still be complications. Except for extreme cases, hospitalization must be a voluntary decision. In cases where the person is a clear and immediate danger to themselves or others, involuntary hospitalization can occur.
It may be challenging to get someone admitted to a hospital, even if they wish to go. The hospital may keep them for a shorter period than you think is necessary. In either case, if the hospital isnt giving the care thats needed, it may be time to try another hospital.
A severe bipolar episode can cause extreme or even dangerous behavior. This can include suicide attempts or threats against others. You should take this behavior seriously and take action immediately. If the situation seems out of control or about to get out of control, you may need to call the police for assistance.
Many hospitals can handle a wide range of mental health issues. To find out more, check with your primary care provider or the hospitals themselves. Some of these resources may help.
Do You Have The Appropriate Tools To Combat A Panic Attack
On top of this, it can be extremely difficult to manage a panic attack and many individuals do not have the tools and resources on hand to alleviate a sudden onset of overwhelming anxiety. Situations like these can lead to more serious complications, brought on by a fast-beating heart.
When a panic attack sets in, you need to understand how to fight it. If youve never been officially treated for a panic attack or if youve only ever self-diagnosed yourself, then odds are you dont have any helpful medication or breathing exercises. A visit to the emergency room for a panic attack can change this for you.
An ER doctor can walk you through various breathing exercises to help relieve some of that anxiety and improve your breathing, and if necessary, they can also prescribe anti-anxiety medication. Not only will you find relief visiting the ER, but youll also be more prepared for future panic attacks.
Keep Reading: Learn more about the signs and symptoms of stress
Also Check: Can You Have Anxiety And Depression
Complications Of Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is treatable and you can make a full recovery. But it’s best to get medical help as soon as you can.
If you do not get medical help, panic disorder can escalate and become very difficult to cope with.
You’re more at risk of developing other mental health conditions, such as agoraphobia or other phobias, or an alcohol or drug problem.
Having panic disorder may affect your ability to drive. The law requires you to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency about a medical condition that could impact your driving ability.
Visit GOV.UK for further information about driving with a disability or health condition.
What Are The Symptoms Of An Anxiety Disorder
Symptoms vary depending on the type of anxiety disorder, but general symptoms include:
- Feelings of panic, fear, and uneasiness
- Uncontrollable, obsessive thoughts
- Muscle tension
- Dizziness
The exact cause of anxiety disorders is unknown but anxiety disorders like other forms of mental illness are not the result of personal weakness, a character flaw, or poor upbringing. As scientists continue their research on mental illness, it is becoming clear that many of these disorders are caused by a combination of factors, including changes in the brain and environmental stress.
Like certain illnesses, such as , anxiety disorders may be caused by chemical imbalances in the body. Studies have shown that severe or long-lasting stress can change the balance of chemicals in the brain that control mood. Other studies have shown that people with certain anxiety disorders have changes in certain brain structures that control memory or mood. In addition, studies have shown that anxiety disorders run in families, which means that they can be inherited from one or both parents, like hair or eye color. Moreover, certain environmental factors such as a trauma or significant event may trigger an anxiety disorder in people who have an inherited susceptibility to developing the disorder.
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Finding Your Balance When An Anxiety Or Panic Attack Hits
When in doubt of whats really happening to you, you should always go to the nearest emergency care center better to be safe than sorry! However, if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety or panic disorder, here are some ways to even yourself out.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy has proven effective for managing panic attacks. By uncovering the thinking patterns and behaviors that lead to the attacks, you can retrain your mind to reason more realistically and effectively through anxious moments.
- Exposure Therapy: Exposure therapy exposes you to the things or situations that bring you fear. In a safe environment, you become familiar with your bodys reaction to certain triggers. Over time, you become more and more desensitized to these triggers and ultimately reduce your tendency to fear.
- Breathing, Music, and Exercise: As discussed earlier, sometimes panic attacks come without any real triggers. When one hits you, one of the best things to do is practice controlled deep breathing and other relaxation techniques such as meditation, listening to music, or even exercising. By countering negative sensations with positive ones, you are developing coping mechanisms that promote calmness and relaxation.
Like many things, panic and anxiety disorders can be reduced by healthy living. Read here about 3 Healthy Habits for Kids and what kind of foods to add to your diet.
Some Ways We Can Help:
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One Medical is a doctors office designed for real life. That means we understand that life can be unpredictable, and weve built a new kind of primary care practice to support you through the unexpected stuff so you can potentially skip unnecessary trips to the emergency room or urgent care. To deliver the best care possible, we offer same-day and next-day appointments in our calming offices or over video, unlimited 24/7 on-demand care over Video Chat at no extra cost, and healthcare providers who truly listen.
One Medicals team of skilled doctors and other providers are trained to address a wide range of urgent and time-sensitive health concerns. And because we offer easy access to care whenever and wherever you need it, were equipped to handle a variety of urgent care needs.
Not only do One Medical appointments start on time, but our offices offer on-site lab work, so you can get the care you need and get back to your day quickly. And if you dont feel up to getting out of bed or our offices are closed, you can still get great care over Video Chat or messages anytime, day or night. Our app also makes it easy to book appointments, renew and request prescriptions, and message providers at your convenience.
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When You Should Go To The Doctor An Urgent Care Clinic Or The Emergency Room
Its not uncommon for people suffering from a panic attack to fear death. After all, the sudden heart palpitations and chest pain can make many people think theyre having a heart attack. If you are experiencing a panic attack for the first time, Webmd recommends that you go to the emergency room to be sure that it isnt a serious health issue. There, a doctor will be able to determine if youre experiencing something life-threatening, like a blood clot or heart attack. When it comes to your health, its always better to be safe than sorry.
If its the first time and you dont know whats happening, the emergency room is the right choice.
Should the ER doctor determine that youre suffering from a panic attack, they will encourage you to visit your primary care physician or a local urgent care center like these in Washingon State. . At an urgent care center, you can expect a physician to go over your mental health concerns and offer advice regarding the next steps you can take. In most cases, this will be a referral to a mental health professional, like a psychiatrist or a psychologist.
If you know youre having a panic attack, visiting your doctor or an urgent care center can also be a vital resource to help get you through the episode. For some people, simply knowing a medical professional is near can help them feel at ease to help the attack subside.
Should I Go To The Er For A Panic Attack
Have you felt this way before?The very first thing you need to ask yourself when youre having a panic attack is: have I felt this way before? Oftentimes, our first panic attack is the scariest, since it really can mimic the symptoms of a far more serious health issue.
My first panic attack was easily the scariest half hour of my life. I was 16 or 17 years old right around the middle of high school-age. It started with a random and harmless heart palpitation, but to me it felt like a kick to the chest that I wasnt expecting. My surprise and fear of the unknown caused me to panic and hyperventilate, making me feel light-headed and nauseous. I didnt know what was happening, all I knew was that I couldnt stop it. I was convinced that I was having a heart attack, and desperately wanted my parents to call an ambulance for me.
If youve never had a panic attack before, theres a chance that your first one could be just as intense as mine was. In this case, its understandable why you might feel as though you need to go to the emergency room. But, if you have had previous panic attacks before dialing 911, ask yourself if this feels like the panic attacks youve had in the past. If the symptoms of your panic attack are similar to the symptoms of your other panic attacks, chances are this is just another panic attack. There should only be cause for concern if youre experiencing new chest pain or other symptoms that are significantly different than what youre used to.
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Anxiety Induced Reasons For An Emergency Room Visit
There is no such thing as a wasted visit to the emergency room for an anxiety attack. For someone who may be experiencing anxiety, or their first panic attack, a visit to the emergency room is warranted to make sure that the cause of the persons distress is not a heart attack, asthma/breathing problem, thyroid or hormone emergency, or other dangerous medical condition such as irregular / fast heartbeat, blood clot in the lungs or anxiety arising from a neurological disorder, medication reaction or elevated blood pressure.
Almost anyone experiencing symptoms of anxiety or a panic attack requires evaluation. Unless the individual has a history with panic attacks, is generally healthy, and is experiencing a typical attack, they must be evaluated promptly by a doctor. Its best to be on the safe side and go to an emergency room like ER Katy where the doctors have the necessary equipment and experience to appropriately evaluate for a potentially underlying dangerous emergency medical condition.
Even for doctors who are board certified in emergency room medicine, the diagnosis of a panic attack is known as a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that before the doctor can be sure of a panic attack based diagnosis, all other possible causes of the symptoms and other possible conditions need to be considered first.
ER Katy is conveniently located at I-10 and Pin Oak, near HEB.
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.
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