Hospital visits

[Hayley]

Hi there guys.
Just wondering how many times you have gone to the ER from your anxiety and how you felt about going. I have been twice from anxiety the first time was also due to another issue that needed attention and the second time was purely anxiety. If I'm honest I felt really bad and embarrassed about going, the second time I left without even being seen. I always feel like I'm being a burden on them and they will think I'm silly. Just wondering if you guys are the same. I will add that I take great comfort in telling myself that I can go to the hospital if I need to, That I am allowed to go and that anxiety is actually a medical disorder.

[Evap]

I've only been one time and I will never go for anxiety again. I was really embarrassed when they told me I was 100% fine when I was there last time. Even when I'm having a panic attack and think I'm dying, I can still understand that it's anxiety and it would be another waste to go to the ER.

[vardnas]

I will add that I take great comfort in telling myself that I can go to the hospital if I need to, That I am allowed to go and that anxiety is actually a medical disorder.

That's true, anxiety IS a real disorder, that's true, but the fact of the matter is things like visits to the ER and unnecessary medical testing don't help our problem. The best thing going to the ER will do for us is provide temporary relief for our fears, as they're not places designed to help mental health patients. I'd say that the office of a well-qualified psychologist is a better place to find yourself than the waiting room of an ER, that's for sure.

[Noahs Mom]

A few years ago when I was at the height of my anxiety, I did go to the ER like 4x in one year.  Mostly anxiety related.  One doctor called me a "GOMER" right outside my door and after that, I realized how they really saw me.  GOMER stands for "Get Out of My Emergency Room."  That jackass was right that I had been in there too often, but got so annoyed by my medical record, he missed the opportunity to REALLY see there was a medical problem going on that night.
   I cried Wolf too many times and it could have killed me.  So after that, I vowed not to go unless I had at least 2 other people tell me that it's an emergency or an extremely acute situation - like massive, massive pain.