{"id":1944,"date":"2020-06-18T02:45:08","date_gmt":"2020-06-18T07:45:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dontpanicdothis.com\/?p=1944"},"modified":"2023-02-18T01:42:26","modified_gmt":"2023-02-18T06:42:26","slug":"should-i-go-to-the-er-for-a-panic-attack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dontpanicdothis.com\/should-i-go-to-the-er-for-a-panic-attack\/","title":{"rendered":"Should I go to the ER for a Panic Attack? When to Call 911"},"content":{"rendered":"

The very first time I had a panic attack, I was convinced that there was something wrong with my heart. I laid on the couch, struggling to breathe, desperately hoping my parents would just call me an ambulance. I’m sure you may also be wondering now, should I go to the ER for a panic attack?<\/em><\/p>\n

You do not need to go to the ER if you are having a panic attack, because a panic attack is not a life-threatening emergency; you cannot die from a panic attack. The only time you should <\/em>go to the ER for a panic attack is if you have never felt this way before, have underlying health issues, or are having thoughts of self-harm.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Okay, so we know that a panic attack in and of itself is not something to go to the ER for. But how do we know if it\u2019s a just a panic attack, or if it’s something more? What happens at the ER if we do<\/em> go? How can we stop a panic attack without going to the ER?<\/p>\n

Keep reading, and I\u2019ll answer all of these questions and more!<\/p>\n

Should I go to the ER For a Panic Attack?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Have you felt this way before?<\/strong>The very first thing you need to ask yourself when you\u2019re having a panic attack is: have I felt this way before?<\/em> Oftentimes, our first panic attack is the scariest, since it really can mimic the symptoms of a far more serious health issue.<\/p>\n

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 wasn\u2019t expecting. My surprise and fear of the unknown caused me to panic and hyperventilate, making me feel light-headed and nauseous. I didn\u2019t know what was happening, all I knew was that I couldn\u2019t stop it. I was convinced that I was having a heart attack, and desperately wanted my parents to call an ambulance for me.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve never had a panic attack before, there\u2019s a chance that your first one could be just as intense as mine was. In this case, it\u2019s understandable why you might feel as though you need to go to the emergency room. But, if you have <\/em>had previous panic attacks \u2013 before dialing 911, ask yourself if this feels like the panic attacks you\u2019ve 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 you\u2019re experiencing new chest pain or other symptoms that are significantly different than what you\u2019re used to.<\/p>\n

Have you been checked out before? <\/strong>Even with my first-time freak out from a panic attack, I didn\u2019t actually go to the ER (even though I honestly wanted to). What I did do was get my heart checked out soon thereafter, just to make sure everything was <\/em>okay. I had bloodwork done and saw a cardiologist for an electrocardiogram (EKG). Being a fit and healthy teenager, it obviously wasn\u2019t surprising to any of the doctors that my heart was fine, and that I was in perfect health. I learned that the panic attacks were in fact responsible for these terrifying physical symptoms. At the time, this was huge for me \u2013 the idea that my thoughts<\/em> could actually hijack my body’s automated functions.<\/p>\n

Getting the EKG and bloodwork done may have seemed like a waste of time, but it actually gave me tremendous peace of mind just to be assured that I wasn\u2019t actually going to die. If you\u2019ve never had these sorts of check-ups with your doctor, it might be something you want to consider \u2013 even if it\u2019s only for the peace of mind.<\/p>\n

Once the doctor can confirm that your physical health is fine, it can greatly help to calm your mind during a panic attack. This way, with future panic attacks, you can remind yourself that you have already been checked out, and should have no cause of concern regarding your physical health (in other words, a trip to the ER would be pointless!).<\/p>\n

Do you have any underlying health issues?<\/strong><\/strong>If you do<\/em> have any underlying health issues, this may be something to take into account during a panic attack. If you have a known history of heart disease and suddenly, you\u2019re experiencing chest pain and tightness after straining your body physically, this is an example of when your panic attack could be more than just a panic attack, and when you might consider calling for an ambulance.<\/p>\n

A heart attack, a collapsed lung, or a blood clot in the lungs are all examples of serious health emergencies that can feel similar to a panic attack. When deciding whether or not to go to the ER, you will need to try and consider the situation logically. If you are young and healthy, have been checked out recently, and have no personal or family history of illness, there\u2019s a good chance it\u2019s just a panic attack. If you\u2019re older, not in the best health, and have a family history of illness, you may need to consider that it could be more than just a panic attack, and act accordingly.<\/p>\n

Are you having thoughts of hurting yourself or others?<\/strong>If you are ever having thoughts of hurting yourself or others, you should seek professional help immediately. You can dial 911 for this in the US, and ask to be taken straight to the hospital if need be. This is a mental health emergency and should never be dismissed or ignored.<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

Panic Attack vs Heart Attack<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Many symptoms of panic attacks can feel similar to the symptoms of a heart attack. Some symptoms that both events have in common include:<\/p>\n