Aa
peace of mind
can i go to the hospital just for a peace of mind?
I assume you're talking about the emergency room?
If so, that's not really the place to get reassurance for your health related anxiety. ERs are for urgent, even life threatening situations. Far too many people seek medical care at the ER when it's not a true emergency, which results in longer wait times, delays in people being cared for, and of course, higher costs of health care, as many people who are uninsured never end up paying that high bill. Even for those who are insured, it's a burden, as the cost of an ER visit is going to be MUCH higher than an appt with your PCP. It's overkill basically. ERs have become full of people with colds, coughs, etc...things that are in no way "urgent", and it's a big problem.
The BEST way to handle chronic issues, or non emergent concerns is to call your family doctor and make an appt. Your PCP KNOWS you, is aware of your history, and can make a better informed decision about what needs to happen next.
You go to the ER, there will be lots of tests and blood work ordered, perhaps a lot of it that would be unnecessary and overkill. Your doctor would be better equipped to make those calls about IF a situation requires further assessment, and if so, what KIND of assessment.
It goes without saying that any time you think you have an urgent health matter, then most definitely proceed to the ER ASAP, but if you're stuck in the trap of running to the ER for reassurance based on your health anxiety, that's not a good thing. For ONE, it's unnecessary and clogs up the ER, two, it will affect YOU, as the more you go, the more you will be dismissed by the staff, and that WILL follow you. Then, should something every REALLY be going on with you, the health care workers will be far less inclined to be aggressive about it. I hate to hear when someone has created a situation for themselves where everything is dismissed as "just anxiety". Then, it's a nightmare getting anyone to take you seriously.
ERs should always be reserved for serious, urgent matters that cannot wait until you can get in to see your doctor. Health related anxiety is a tough one, and running to the ER is not a cycle you want to start. Believe it or not, the frequent seeking of reassurance actually fuels anxiety in the long run. You feel better for a brief time, and then the anxiety comes rushing back, much worse than what you started with.
You need to start addressing your anxiety with a mental health professional. You can seek reassurance every day, but until you retrain your thinking process, you won't ever be able to BELIEVE what you're being told, and you stay stuck on the merry-go-round.
Best to you, keep us updated!
If so, that's not really the place to get reassurance for your health related anxiety. ERs are for urgent, even life threatening situations. Far too many people seek medical care at the ER when it's not a true emergency, which results in longer wait times, delays in people being cared for, and of course, higher costs of health care, as many people who are uninsured never end up paying that high bill. Even for those who are insured, it's a burden, as the cost of an ER visit is going to be MUCH higher than an appt with your PCP. It's overkill basically. ERs have become full of people with colds, coughs, etc...things that are in no way "urgent", and it's a big problem.
The BEST way to handle chronic issues, or non emergent concerns is to call your family doctor and make an appt. Your PCP KNOWS you, is aware of your history, and can make a better informed decision about what needs to happen next.
You go to the ER, there will be lots of tests and blood work ordered, perhaps a lot of it that would be unnecessary and overkill. Your doctor would be better equipped to make those calls about IF a situation requires further assessment, and if so, what KIND of assessment.
It goes without saying that any time you think you have an urgent health matter, then most definitely proceed to the ER ASAP, but if you're stuck in the trap of running to the ER for reassurance based on your health anxiety, that's not a good thing. For ONE, it's unnecessary and clogs up the ER, two, it will affect YOU, as the more you go, the more you will be dismissed by the staff, and that WILL follow you. Then, should something every REALLY be going on with you, the health care workers will be far less inclined to be aggressive about it. I hate to hear when someone has created a situation for themselves where everything is dismissed as "just anxiety". Then, it's a nightmare getting anyone to take you seriously.
ERs should always be reserved for serious, urgent matters that cannot wait until you can get in to see your doctor. Health related anxiety is a tough one, and running to the ER is not a cycle you want to start. Believe it or not, the frequent seeking of reassurance actually fuels anxiety in the long run. You feel better for a brief time, and then the anxiety comes rushing back, much worse than what you started with.
You need to start addressing your anxiety with a mental health professional. You can seek reassurance every day, but until you retrain your thinking process, you won't ever be able to BELIEVE what you're being told, and you stay stuck on the merry-go-round.
Best to you, keep us updated!
not sure what you mean? Do you mean you want to go to your doctor and tell them you want peace of mind? If so then of course. My doctor knows I have health anxiety, whenever I see her I just tell her what i'm worried about, ask her to check me up, and reassure me, or tell me if she finds something... Not sure what you exactly mean though.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Anxiety Community
Find out what can trigger a panic attack – and what to do if you have one.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Take control of tension today.
These simple pick-me-ups squash stress.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
Want to wake up rested and refreshed?
