Anxiety disorders can sometimes cause severe physical symptoms. Though these experiences are usually brief, they can cause a person to fear that they may be about to die. In situations like this, how can you know when to go to the hospital for anxiety?
If you or a loved one is struggling with anxiety, our anxiety treatment in Atlanta can help. Call us now at 404-996-0037 or schedule an appointment now.
Signs and Symptoms of Anxiety
If you’re not familiar with anxiety disorders, you may be perplexed by the thought that someone might consider when to go to the hospital for anxiety. Anxiety’s just another work for nervousness, right?
Wrong.
As we alluded to at the top of this post, some anxiety disorders can be sources of immense physical and psychological distress. For example, panic disorder is one of 11 conditions in the anxiety disorders section of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This disorder can cause the following types of symptoms:
- Elevated body temperature
- Profuse sweating
- Racing heart rate
- Chest pain
- Sensation of being choked or smothered
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Tingling in the hands and feet
- Weakness
Someone who experiences these types of symptoms – which, by the way, can occur at any time with little to no warning and no apparent trigger – may understandably fear that they are in the midst of a serious medical crisis.
Other anxiety disorders can cause symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, hot flashes, chills, and nausea. The frequency and intensity of these symptoms, combined with the deep-seated fears that are characteristic of many anxiety disorders, can also cause people to consider hospitalization.
Recommended: “Do I Have Anxiety?” Quiz
When to Go to the Hospital for Anxiety
Having established a few of the reasons why anxiety could cause someone to think about seeking mHaving established a few of the reasons why anxiety could cause someone to think about seeking medical treatment, let’s address the main topic of today’s post: How can you know when to go to the hospital for anxiety?
In most cases, the anxiety symptoms that we’ve been discussing in this post don’t last very long. For example, it’s rare for panic attacks to persist for longer than 20 minutes – and they’re often over much sooner than that. This means that, by the time a person gets to the hospital, the distress that prompted them to seek help will usually have subsided.
Also, if someone experiences symptoms due to a certain situation or set of circumstances, as can occur with specific phobia, agoraphobia, and social anxiety disorder, removing themselves from the trigger will usually resolve the symptoms. Again, this means that by the time they get to the hospital, the crisis will likely be over.
When to Seek Hospitalization
In other words, it’s relatively rare to need hospitalization to address the physical symptoms of an anxiety disorder. But here are a few times when this decision may be the right call:
- If your symptoms have endured for a much longer time than they usually do.
- If your symptoms are causing you to think about harming yourself or attempting to end your own life.
- If you feel that you have no other option but to self-medicate by abusing alcohol or another addictive substance.
- If the symptoms of your anxiety disorder have become so disruptive that you have become unable to function.
Please note that this does not mean that hospitalization is never the answer – nor does it mean that professional care isn’t needed for anxiety. As we will discuss in the next section, there are other treatment options that may be much more appropriate (and more effective) for people whose lives have been disrupted by anxiety disorders.
Can You Be Hospitalized for Anxiety?
Yes, hospitalization for anxiety is possible, particularly in severe cases. When anxiety symptoms significantly impair a person’s ability to function, it may be necessary to seek emergency care.
While anxiety disorders can lead to intense distress, hospitalization is typically reserved for extreme situations. These include:
- Risk of Self-Harm: If a person is at risk of harming themselves or has thoughts of suicide.
- Inability to Care for Oneself: When overwhelming anxiety prevents someone from taking care of their basic needs.
- Persistent Symptoms: Hospitalization may also be needed if anxiety symptoms last longer than usual or lead to severe physical health concerns.
In these critical cases, a safe environment is essential. Professionals can monitor the individual and provide immediate support to stabilize their condition.
However, it’s important to remember that hospitalization is not the only option available. Many effective outpatient treatments can address anxiety before it escalates to such a critical level.
Other Treatment Options for Anxiety
Thus far in this post, we’ve focused on physical symptoms when considering when to go to the hospital for anxiety and the necessity and benefits of such a decision. While this is definitely a worthwhile topic, it ignores the fact that symptom-focused treatment offers limited effectiveness, because it doesn’t address the root cause of the problem.
This is where other treatment options can come into play.
Instead of waiting for a crisis to occur and then considering if hospitalization is the right choice, a better plan is to seek mental health treatment for anxiety beforehand. By addressing your symptoms early, you can prevent them from escalating to a level where you fear for your well-being.
For example, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, and related services can empower you to take greater control of your thoughts and emotions, which can preclude the onset of intense physical and psychological distress from an anxiety disorder.
Find Effective Anxiety Treatment in Atlanta
Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry offers a dynamic array of innovative outpatient services for adults who have been struggling with panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, specific phobia, and other anxiety disorders.
Our center in Atlanta, Georgia, is a safe and supportive place where you can receive customized care from a team of experienced and dedicated professionals. These specialists will assess the full scope of your needs and develop an individualized plan to help you achieve a healthier and more hopeful future.
We understand how untreated anxiety can undermine your ability to enjoy a fulfilling life. That’s why we’re committed to providing you with a truly personalized experience during your time with us.
To learn more about anxiety treatment at Atlanta Integrative Psychiatry schedule a free assessment or call us today. We look forward to answering all your questions and helping you determine if our center is the right place for you.
