Generally, it is normal for everyone to experience some degree of stress and anxiety in life. It is one of the body’s ways of preparing you to face a difficult situation. However, stress and anxiety can become chronic conditions meriting urgent care in an emergency room near you.

What is Stress and Anxiety?

Stress and anxiety are closely related yet distinct mental health conditions. Ideally, stress is a normal physical and emotional response to a perceived threat or challenge, while anxiety leans more toward a persistent and intense feeling of worry or fear about future events or situations.

In small measures, stress and anxiety are short-term problems you can overcome with relaxation efforts at home. However, they can also develop into severe conditions, some even life-threatening. The cause or trigger of stress and anxiety can also inform the severity of the condition.

Causes of Stress and Anxiety

However common stress and anxiety are, there are underlying causes for these conditions. The common ones are:

1. Chronic illnesses – being subjected to terminal health conditions like cancer and diabetes can cause stress and anxiety.
2. Genetics – some genetic factors make you more susceptible to anxiety and stress.
3. Substance abuse – drugs distort your perspectives on reality and euphoria, triggering anxiety and other mental conditions.
4. Brain chemistry – imbalances in certain brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin can contribute to anxiety.
5. Exposure to traumatic events, like sexual abuse, violence, natural disaster, and witnessing death
6. Sudden life experiences – significant life changes like giving birth, a job loss, or divorce can trigger stress and anxiety.

Common Types of Stress and Anxiety Disorders

Medical experts have narrowed down the different types of stress and anxiety disorder so they can offer treatments accordingly. They include the following:

1. Acute stress – is a normal response to a specific event or situation and is typically short-term.
2. Chronic stress – is long-term and can be caused by ongoing issues in your life.
3. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) – is characterized by persistent and excessive worry about different everyday issues.
4. Panic attacks – feature sudden episodes of intense fear or anxiety.
5. Social anxiety disorder – is characterized by significant fear and discomfort in social situations, often leading to avoidance of these situations.
6. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, including war, a natural disaster, or sexual assault.
7. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) – is characterized by persistent, intrusive thoughts or obsessions and repetitive behaviors or compulsions. These behaviors and thoughts are attempts to alleviate stress and anxiety.

How To Know You Have Stress and Anxiety

Medical experts provide three main categories of symptoms that manifest in patients with stress and anxiety. They are:

1. Physical symptoms: can include a rapid heartbeat, increased sweating, trembling or shaking, difficulty breathing, chest pain, gastrointestinal distress, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, and muscle tension.
2. Behavioral symptoms: may look like avoiding social situations or activities, procrastination, increased use of alcohol or drugs, overeating or loss of appetite, and nail-biting or other nervous habits.
3. Emotional symptoms: may present as increased irritability, mood swings, excessive worry or fear, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and feeling overwhelmed or helpless.

The severity of either symptom will dictate how urgently you need to visit an emergency room in Waco.

Should I Go to the Emergency Room or Urgent Care for Stress & Anxiety?

If you are experiencing severe symptoms of stress and anxiety, visit us at Express Emergency Room Waco for immediate medical attention. Your need for urgent treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and the level of care you need. Some symptoms to concern you are:

1. Difficulty breathing
2. Chest tightness or pain
3. Suicidal thoughts and impulses
4. Panic attacks

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision of whether to go to the emergency room for stress and anxiety will depend on the severity of your symptoms and the level of care you need. If you are unsure, it is best to call your primary care physician or a medical professional for advice.