Stress and Anxiety

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Call your Health Care Provider if

Your doctor can help you determine if your anxiety would be best evaluated and treated by a mental health care professional.

Call your local emergency number (such as 911) if:

• You have crushing chest pain, especially with shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating. A heart attack can cause feelings of anxiety.
• You have thoughts of suicide.
• You have dizziness, rapid breathing, or racing heartbeat for the first time or it is worse than usual.

Call your health care provider if the following occur:

• You are unable to work or function properly at home because of anxiety.
• You do not know the source or cause of your anxiety.
• You have a sudden feeling of panic.
• You are taking a medication or using a drug that may cause feelings of anxiety.
• You have an uncontrollable fear -- for example, of getting infected and sick if you are out, or a fear of heights.
• You repeat an action over and over again, like constantly washing your hands.
• You have an intolerance to heat, weight loss despite a good appetite, lump or swelling in the front of your neck, or protruding eyes. Your thyroid may be overactive.
• Your anxiety is elicited by the memory of a traumatic event.
• You have tried self-care measures for several weeks without success or you feel that your anxiety will not resolve without professional help.