04/01/2026
The panic attack scene in The Pitt felt incredibly real and painful to watch.
Dr. Mohan suddenly develops chest pain, shallow breathing, and becomes overheated while working in the ER during a chaotic shift. She is so convinced something is medically wrong that she tells colleagues she might be having a heart attack.
Once her superior, Dr. Robby, figures out what's going on, his response is: “Wait a minute. Is this a panic attack because of your mommy issues? Do you need to go home? I don’t need the f—king liability. Go home.” He says all of this in front of her colleagues.
The actor who plays Mohan says she felt “deeply humiliated." And honestly? That scene in The Pitt wasn't unrealistic. A lot of people with panic disorders have experienced exactly that reaction from doctors, coworkers, and family.
After being diagnosed with bipolar, I started developing panic symptoms that would send me to the ER. And some people treated it like made-up symptoms or attention-seeking.
The irony is that panic attacks can mimic cardiac events. I’ve experienced:
• Racing heart
• Chest pain
• Feeling like I can’t breathe
When a person has these symptoms, they are often told to go to the ER. I've been told by urgent care to go to the ER for these symptoms.
Panic attacks are real medical conditions that require treatment. But when Dr. Robby realizes it’s a panic attack, he offers no treatment, medication, or support. And that reflects a bigger problem with how panic attacks are treated. They are often dismissed.
Panic disorder is a real medical condition. There are treatments available, including therapy and/or medications:
• Benzodiazepines for acute panic
• Beta blockers
• SSRIs or mood stabilizers for prevention
Now that I am treated properly for this, I no longer have panic attacks.
Have you ever experienced panic attacks? And, if so, were you ever treated like this?
Photo: Warrick Page | HBO Max
From: The Pitt, Season 2, Episode 10
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