[*Beth*]

Hi all, I'm having chronic panic attacks. All week, but it's to the point at which I feel sick and can't sleep. All the symptoms...racing heart (really scary feeling), sweating, exhaustion, "inevitable" doom, etc., etc. I called my pdoc's nurse, pdoc isn't in on Fridays. I told her I really need help. I'm desperate. The nurse told me to go to the emergency room. I am afraid that if I go to the ER they will IP me, even though I'm not suicidal, homicidal, and can take care of myself. I cannot go IP...I have no one to care for my diabetic cat.

Do you think they'll lock me in if I go to the ER, or will they prescribe something?

[Mountaindewed]

I've gone to actual psych hospitals for assements and I've been put in IOP instead of IP. Whenever I've gone to the ER though I was always sent IP except one time when the conselor sided with me and told my staff off and said they were being a piece of **** to me and sent me back there instead of sending me IP.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I went to a regular er once and they didn’t ip me. In fact they said they couldn’t help me since I’m not suicidal. I was taken by a friend to an actual ip the next day where I was admitted.

[sanityThruLight]

From my experience, they will only admit you if you are a danger to yourself or others. This is mostly because of the facts they only have so many beds.

If you need immediate help, seek it. There is nothing worse than fearing for you health and at the same time fearing to get help for said health issue.

[Nammu]

I’m so sorry your going though such horrible stuff right now

I haven’t been to the ER for a psych reason in years but it’s my understanding that they rarely ip people now days because there’s such a shortage of beds. You’d definitely need to be a dangerous person to yourself or others to be sectioned. They do mostly referrals and recommendations to outpatient programs. They might be able to fast track an outpatient program that would otherwise take months to get into.

[buddha1too]

ERs here are being swamped because of COVID patients. If you decide to go that route, perhaps you should be prepared to wait a long time. I just hope you find some way to feel better without taking the risk of going IP. Be well, Beth.

[*Beth*]

Thanks for your feedback Md, Halliebeth, and Nammu!


I wish there was an IOP program in my town, but there isn't. And right now all NAMI groups are on Zoom - okay, but definitely not as effective as meeting in person. I have taken 2 Klonopin (didn't do anything), 1 perphenazine (didn't do anything, except possibly allowed me to sleep, which is a blessing). Zoloft is supposed to help with anxiety and panic; I'm on 100mg and thus far I haven't noticed any change (it's been about 2 weeks).

[Victoria'smom]

Can you call your PCP? Or an urgent care?

[Soupe du jour]

Hi Beth. I also agree with sanityThruLight. There must usually be some concern for your safety or others', for IP admissions. Unless, your psychiatrist themself sends you IP for a major medication overhaul.

ERs definitely see people with extreme anxiety. I think many come in fearing a heart attack, or the like. But obviously you are quite attuned to what you are experiencing. You seem to know what your "doom" really is about.

As for them helping, I would think they might offer an idea for a medication adjustment. I'd hope. Or you may well hear a suggestion to go to IOP. You're clearly not a person seeking controlled substances for addiction. Because of that, I do think they'll hear you out a bit. If they wouldn't help, then you'd be experiencing the same lousy lack of care that far too many receive. Ideally, you should be getting sufficient help from your pdoc and tdoc. I'm sorry that you have a bad one...at least your pdoc.

I totally understand your concern about your kitty. It might be good to work out a "plan" for them, if you ever need hospitalization. Crap happens, and often unexpectedly.

[~Christina]

I think you should consider the ER if you really are testing your last nerve due to uncontrollable anxiety. Due to the severe lack of IP beds I don't think its likely that they will send you there. Forgive me if I am out of the loop.. Do you still have a benzo?? have you tried Gabapentin? I think you have tried the ZzzzQuil in the past for sleep.. Maybe snow yourself under for a few days????

Sending you hugs and calming love.. Hope you find relief asap

** I agree with Soupe on working out a plan just in general on having someone take care of you cats if the need arises**

[MuddyBoots]

The only time I went to the ER and didn't get admitted inpatient was when I was flipping out in an ambulance so they gaveme haldol and I went nighty nighty so they couldn't assess me (and sent me home in a cabb in a Tshirt with no shoe phones or keys to my house in a New Hampshire Febuary at 2am thank God someone was up).

It's all timing. November seems to be easy to get in here (couple hours wait) January more like a couple weeks in th e ER

[Fuzzybear]

I think they will only admit you if you are a danger to yourself or others ((((( BethRags ))))) I'm sorry you're struggling. Panic sucks