Panic attack treatment in Kathmandu, Nepal
A panic attack — a sudden surge of intense fear with a racing heart, breathlessness, chest tightness and a feeling of losing control — is frightening enough that many people first go to an emergency room believing it's a heart attack. Once a medical cause has been ruled out, panic attacks are highly treatable. Dr. Kushal Kharel provides psychiatric assessment and treatment for panic attacks and panic disorder in Kathmandu, in person at the Kalanki clinic or online, combining CBT-based techniques with medication when needed.
Who this is for
- Anyone who has had one or more sudden episodes of intense fear with physical symptoms
- People who've been to an emergency room for panic symptoms and been told their heart is fine
- People experiencing recurrent panic attacks with ongoing worry about the next one
- People avoiding places or situations for fear of triggering an attack
- Anyone unsure whether their symptoms are panic, a medical condition, or both
- People whose panic attacks are affecting work, travel or daily routine
Common concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
How are panic attacks treated in Kathmandu?
After ruling out a medical cause where relevant, treatment combines CBT-based techniques — such as breathing retraining, understanding the panic cycle, and gradual exposure to avoided situations — with medication where the frequency or severity of attacks warrants it.
How can I tell if it's a panic attack or a heart attack?
You generally can't tell reliably in the moment, which is why a first-ever episode, new chest pain, or symptoms you're unsure about should be evaluated urgently as a possible medical emergency. Once a medical cause has been ruled out, recurring similar episodes are more confidently treated as panic.
Is medication necessary, or can panic attacks be treated with therapy alone?
Many people improve significantly with CBT-based therapy alone, particularly with consistent practice of the techniques between sessions. Medication is added when attacks are frequent, severe, or significantly restricting daily life, and this is decided individually.
Why do I feel like I'm going to die during a panic attack?
The physical symptoms of panic — racing heart, breathlessness, chest tightness — genuinely mimic a life-threatening event, which is the body's alarm system firing when there is no actual danger. Understanding this pattern is a core part of treatment.
I've started avoiding places where I've had attacks before — is this a problem?
Yes, avoidance tends to reinforce panic over time and can narrow your daily life considerably. Gradual, structured exposure to avoided situations, done at a manageable pace, is a core part of effective treatment.
Is panic attack treatment available online?
Yes, both assessment and ongoing CBT-based treatment can be conducted online, alongside in-person consultation at the Kalanki clinic in Kathmandu.
How long does treatment for panic attacks usually take?
This varies by individual, but many people see meaningful improvement within weeks of starting structured treatment, with the exact course depending on frequency of attacks, degree of avoidance, and response to initial treatment.
Ready to book a consultation?
In-person at the Kalanki clinic in Kathmandu, or online from anywhere.