Anxiety Attack Treatment in Mumbai: A Complete Patient Guide by Dr Prabhojit Mohanty
Anxiety attacks can be frightening, overwhelming, and most importantly, treatable. If you or a loved one has experienced sudden surges of fear with physical symptoms like chest tightness, breathlessness, a racing heart, dizziness, or trembling, you’re not alone. With the right approach, people recover, regain control, and return to daily life with confidence.
This in-depth guide on anxiety attack treatment in Mumbai is written to help you understand what’s happening, what your options are, and how Dr Prabhojit Mohanty can support you with compassionate, evidence-based care.
What Is an Anxiety Attack?
An anxiety attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort that develops quickly, often within minutes, and is accompanied by physical and psychological symptoms. Many patients use “anxiety attack” and “panic attack” interchangeably; in clinical practice, the pattern and triggers help your psychiatrist distinguish between them and guide treatment.
Common symptoms include:
- Pounding or racing heart, palpitations
- Shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain
- Sweating, trembling, chills or hot flushes
- Nausea, “butterflies,” or stomach discomfort
- Dizziness, light-headedness, tingling or numbness
- Feeling detached from reality or oneself (derealisation/depersonalisation)
- Fear of losing control, “going crazy,” or dying
If you’ve felt “I’m having a heart attack” only to be told your heart is fine, you’re not imagining it; anxiety can mimic cardiac or respiratory illness. Getting the right assessment is the first step toward relief.
Anxiety Attack vs Panic Attack: What’s the Difference?
- Trigger: Anxiety attacks may be linked to identifiable stressors (exams, work pressure, health worries), whereas panic attacks can appear “out of the blue.”
- Build-up: Anxiety may build gradually; panic attacks often peak within 10 minutes.
- Duration: Anxiety symptoms can linger for hours; panic attacks are usually short-lived but intense.
- Diagnosis: Your clinician will evaluate for disorders like Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety, Health Anxiety, or anxiety secondary to medical conditions (e.g., thyroid, anaemia) or substances (e.g., caffeine).
Understanding this distinction allows a tailored treatment plan that targets your specific pattern and triggers.
Anxiety Attack vs Panic Attack: What’s the Difference?
- Trigger: Anxiety attacks may be linked to identifiable stressors (exams, work pressure, health worries), whereas panic attacks can appear “out of the blue.”
- Build-up: Anxiety may build gradually; panic attacks often peak within 10 minutes.
- Duration: Anxiety symptoms can linger for hours; panic attacks are usually short-lived but intense.
- Diagnosis: Your clinician will evaluate for disorders like Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety, Health Anxiety, or anxiety secondary to medical conditions (e.g., thyroid, anaemia) or substances (e.g., caffeine).
Understanding this distinction allows a tailored treatment plan that targets your specific pattern and triggers.
When Should You Seek Help in Mumbai?
Seek professional help if:
- Attacks are recurrent or unpredictable
- You start avoiding places or activities (trains, lifts, meetings)
- Symptoms impair work, studies, relationships, or sleep
- You use alcohol, nicotine, or sedatives to cope
- You have new physical symptoms or a family history of heart/thyroid problems
- You experience low mood, loss of interest, or thoughts of self-harm
If chest pain is severe, you faint, or symptoms are unlike your previous attacks, visit the nearest emergency department to exclude medical causes; safety first.
How Dr Prabhojit Mohanty Assesses Anxiety Attacks
A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation typically includes:
- Clinical Interview: Your symptom timeline, triggers, frequency, duration, and impact on daily life.
- Screening Tools: Validated questionnaires to gauge severity (e.g., GAD-7, panic measures).
- Medical Rule-Out: Where indicated, tests for thyroid function, Vitamin B12/folate, iron studies, ECG, or other relevant investigations to exclude physical causes.
- Diagnosis and Formulation: A clear explanation of what’s going on biological, psychological, and social factors, so treatment decisions feel logical and collaborative.
Personalised Plan: A step-wise approach combining therapy, lifestyle measures, and medicines (when needed), with periodic reviews.
Evidence-Based Anxiety Attack Treatment in Mumbai
1) Psychological Therapies (First-Line)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you understand how thoughts, body sensations, and behaviours reinforce anxiety. You’ll learn:
- Psychoeducation: Why symptoms occur (adrenaline, hyperventilation, attention bias).
- Cognitive Restructuring: Challenging catastrophic thoughts (“I’ll faint,” “I’ll embarrass myself”).
- Exposure & Response Prevention: Gradual, supported exposure to feared situations (e.g., crowded trains, meetings) until fear reduces.
- Relapse Prevention: Early-warning signs and action plans.
Breathing & Grounding Techniques
- Paced Breathing: Inhale 4 seconds → exhale 6 seconds for 5–10 minutes.
- Box Breathing: 4-4-4-4 count cycle.
- 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding: Engage the senses to anchor attention to the present.
Lifestyle-Based Psychotherapy
- Sleep hygiene, caffeine moderation, and regular meals
- Exercise: 120–150 minutes/week of moderate activity can meaningfully reduce anxiety symptoms.
- Stress management: Time blocking, assertiveness skills, and digital boundaries.
Other Therapies (as appropriate):
- ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy) for values-driven behaviour despite anxiety
- Mindfulness-based interventions to reduce rumination
- Couples/Family sessions if interpersonal stress maintains symptoms
2) Medication (When Indicated)
Medication isn’t mandatory for everyone. It’s recommended when symptoms are moderate to severe, frequent, or when therapy alone hasn’t helped enough.
Common options your psychiatrist may consider:
- SSRIs/SNRIs: Often first-line (e.g., sertraline, escitalopram, venlafaxine). Typically takes 2–6 weeks to work fully; mild, temporary side-effects are common in the first fortnight.
- Short-term aids: In selected cases, beta-blockers (for tremors/palpitations) or a brief course of benzodiazepines for acute crises are closely monitored to avoid dependence.
- Augmentation: If the response is partial, your doctor may adjust the dose or add adjuncts.
Important: Do not start/stop medication without medical guidance. Abrupt discontinuation can worsen symptoms.
3) A Quick Calm-Down Plan for Acute Anxiety Attacks
When you feel an attack rising:
- Pause & Breathe: Sit, place a hand on your abdomen, and slow your exhale (4-in/6-out) for 3–5 minutes.
- Posture & Grounding: Plant your feet, press your heels into the floor, and name 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.
- Name It to Tame It: “This is an anxiety surge; it will pass.”
- Mini-Exposure: Stay with the sensation for 60–90 seconds instead of escaping. This teaches your brain that the signal is safe.
Practice these when calm so they’re easier during a surge. Your therapist will help you personalise these steps.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
- Mild–Moderate cases: 6–12 CBT sessions often produce strong improvement.
- With medication: Many patients continue medication for 6–12 months after recovery to consolidate gains; tapering is gradual.
- Complex cases: Co-existing depression, health anxiety, or substance use may require a longer, integrated plan.
Progress is rarely linear. Think of recovery as two steps forward, one step back. Regular reviews with your psychiatrist keep you on track.
Anxiety Attack Treatment in Mumbai: What Sets Dr Prabhojit Mohanty Apart
- Personalised, step-wise care: Not every patient needs medication; not every patient benefits from the same therapy.
- A collaborative style: You’ll co-create goals and pace exposure tasks with support.
- Practical tools: Crisis cards, breathing audios, and home practice plans.
- Continuity: Scheduled reviews, easy follow-ups, and relapse-prevention sessions.
- Holistic focus: Sleep, nutrition, movement, and digital habits are integrated into care.
If you’ve been avoiding trains, lifts, presentations, or social events, a structured plan can help you reclaim these spaces safely and steadily.
Preparing for Your First Appointment
Bring:
- A brief timeline of your symptoms and triggers
- A list of current medications/supplements (including caffeine/energy drinks)
- Any prior reports (ECG, thyroid, B12, iron studies), if available
- Questions you want answered (write them down)
Be ready to discuss sleep, work stress, family history, and health behaviours. Honest sharing helps your doctor create a plan that truly fits your life.
Lifestyle Foundations That Support Recovery
- Sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours; maintain a consistent sleep-wake window; keep screens out of bed.
- Caffeine & Nicotine: Reduce to avoid palpitations and jitteriness; avoid caffeine after mid-afternoon.
- Exercise: Brisk walking, cycling, swimming, or yoga most days of the week.
- Nutrition: Regular, balanced meals; avoid long gaps that can mimic anxiety (shakiness, light-headedness).
- Alcohol: Avoid using alcohol to “switch off”; it worsens anxiety rebound and sleep quality.
- Digital Hygiene: Scheduled news/social media windows; mute non-essential notifications.
These aren’t substitutes for treatment, but they boost and stabilise your gains.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Is anxiety curable?
Anxiety disorders are highly treatable. Many patients achieve full remission; others experience major, lasting improvement with the right combination of therapy and/or medication.
2) Do I need medicines, or will therapy alone work?
It depends on severity and preference. CBT is first-line and effective. For moderate–severe symptoms, a combined approach often works fastest and prevents relapse.
3) Are anxiety medicines addictive?
SSRIs/SNRIs are not addictive. Short-term sedatives may be used briefly and carefully. Your psychiatrist will discuss risks, benefits, and alternatives before prescribing.
4) How soon will I feel better?
Many patients notice improvement within 2–4 weeks of consistent therapy and/or medication, with continued progress over 8–12 weeks.
5) Can thyroid or vitamin issues cause anxiety attacks?
Yes—thyroid dysfunction, B12/folate/iron deficiencies, and some medical conditions can worsen anxiety. That’s why targeted tests are sometimes recommended.
6) What if I’m anxious about taking medication?
That’s common. You’ll receive clear information about benefits, side effects, and monitoring. Many side effects are mild and temporary; plans are adjusted if needed.
7) Will I need treatment forever?
Usually not. After recovery, medicines can be tapered gradually; therapy skills stay with you for life, which reduces relapse risk.
Choosing the Right Specialist for Anxiety Attack Treatment in Mumbai
When selecting a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist in Mumbai, consider:
- Qualifications & experience with anxiety and panic
- Treatment approach (CBT availability, exposure work, structured reviews)
- Communication style clear, compassionate, collaborative
- Follow-up options: in-person and teleconsultation
- Emergency plan: what to do if symptoms flare
Dr Prabhojit Mohanty’s practice emphasises education, skill-building, and continuity, helping patients feel informed and empowered, not fearful or dependent.
Your Next Steps
- Book an assessment to clarify diagnosis and options.
- Start CBT-based strategies and breathing practice today (short, daily, repeatable).
- Review progress at 2–4 weeks and fine-tune the plan.
- Build relapse prevention: Identify triggers, early signs, and your action checklist.
- Celebrate wins: Each train ride, meeting, or social event regained is a milestone.
Why Local Care in Mumbai Helps
- Contextual triggers: Crowded commutes, high-pressure work culture, and fast city pace can shape anxiety patterns.
- Access & convenience: Faster follow-ups and coordination with local labs/physicians when needed.
- Community support: Family involvement and culturally tuned strategies improve adherence and outcomes.
Final Word from Dr Prabhojit Mohanty
If anxiety attacks have made your world smaller, evidence-based treatment can open it up again. With the right tools, the right plan, and steady support, recovery is not just possible, it’s probable.
Ready to talk? Reach out to schedule your consultation for anxiety attack treatment in Mumbai with Dr Prabhojit Mohanty.