Panic Attacks and Anxiety
A panic attack can feel terrifying — a sudden surge of fear with a pounding heart, breathlessness, dizziness, and a conviction that something is seriously wrong. Many people end up in emergency rooms convinced they are having a heart attack. The good news is that panic is highly treatable once it is understood. Dr. Anindo Mitra (MBBS, MD Psychiatry, JIPMER) treats panic attacks and panic disorder, in-person in Gurugram and online across India.
Who this is for
This page is for you if you have experienced sudden episodes of intense fear with physical symptoms, worry about when the next attack will come, or have started avoiding places or situations because of them.
What a panic attack is
A panic attack is a sudden wave of intense fear that peaks within minutes, with symptoms such as a racing or pounding heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, trembling, sweating, tingling, and a feeling of unreality or impending doom. The symptoms are real and physical, but they are driven by the body's alarm system misfiring — not by a dangerous heart or lung problem, once those have been reasonably excluded.
When panic attacks recur and you begin to fear or avoid situations because of them, this may be panic disorder, which responds well to treatment.
Why panic happens
Panic often involves a "fear of fear" cycle: a normal physical sensation is misread as dangerous, which triggers more anxiety and more symptoms. Understanding this cycle is itself part of the treatment — it takes the terror out of the experience.
Treatment options
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The best-evidenced treatment for panic disorder, helping you reinterpret the physical sensations and gradually reduce avoidance. Dr. Mitra coordinates with experienced clinical psychologists.
- Medication. Antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs) are effective for panic disorder and are commonly used where symptoms are frequent or severe, with a clear plan for how long and how they would later be tapered.
- Breathing and grounding techniques to manage acute episodes, plus attention to sleep, caffeine, and lifestyle triggers.
Sedatives such as benzodiazepines may give short-term relief but risk dependence, so they are used cautiously; where dependence has developed, structured tapering is available.
What to expect
Most people with panic disorder improve substantially, and many recover fully. Learning that the sensations are not dangerous, combined with the right treatment, breaks the cycle.
In-person in Gurugram and online across India
Available in-person at Athena Behavioural Health, Sector 47, Gurugram, and online across India via Zoom or Google Meet, in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil.
Safety and urgent help
Chest pain and breathlessness can have medical causes — if you have new or severe symptoms, get them medically assessed. If you have thoughts of self-harm, seek help via emergency services, your nearest hospital, or Tele-MANAS on 14416. This page is educational and does not replace an individual consultation.
Book a consultation
- WhatsApp: +91 93104 65035
- Practo: Dr. Anindo Mitra on Practo
See fees · anxiety disorder treatment · ADHD and anxiety
Frequently asked questions
Are panic attacks dangerous? The attack itself is not physically dangerous, though it feels frightening. Because symptoms overlap with heart problems, new or severe symptoms should be medically checked; once serious causes are excluded, treatment focuses on the panic.
Can panic disorder be cured? Many people recover fully with therapy, sometimes combined with medication. Understanding why panic happens is a powerful part of getting better.
Do I need medication for panic attacks? Not always. Therapy alone helps many people. Where attacks are frequent or severe, medication can help, and its use and eventual tapering are planned with you.
Why do I get panic attacks for no reason? Panic can arise "out of the blue" because the body's alarm system misfires. Assessment looks for triggers, stress, and any contributing conditions, but attacks without an obvious trigger are common and treatable.
How quickly can treatment help? Many people feel more in control within a few weeks of starting therapy and, where used, medication, with continued improvement over the following months.