Frequently Asked Questions — Dr. Anindo Mitra, Consultant Psychiatrist

Question 1

Who is Dr. Anindo Mitra?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Anindo Mitra is a Consultant Psychiatrist based in Gurugram. He completed both his MBBS and MD in Psychiatry from JIPMER, Puducherry, where he trained for 11 years before moving to Delhi-NCR. He currently practises at Athena Behavioural Health, Sector 47, Gurugram, and offers online consultations pan-India via video call.

Question 2

What is Dr. Mitra's clinical focus?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Mitra's practice covers the full lifespan, with particular depth in mood disorders (depression and bipolar disorder, including treatment-resistant cases), psychotic disorders, anxiety and OCD, adult ADHD, addiction psychiatry, perinatal psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and geriatric psychiatry. He also offers neuromodulation treatments including rTMS and ECT.

Question 3

Does Dr. Mitra offer online consultations?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dr. Mitra offers online psychiatry consultations via video call to patients across India. Online consultations cover the same clinical scope as in-person appointments — including assessment, diagnosis, medication management, and follow-ups. Appointments can be booked directly through this website.

Question 4

Where is Dr. Mitra's clinic located?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Mitra practises at Athena Behavioural Health, Sector 47, Gurugram, Haryana. For patients who cannot attend in person, online video consultations are available pan-India through this website.

Question 5

What languages does Dr. Mitra speak?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Mitra consults in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Tamil. This allows him to work comfortably with patients from across India without language being a barrier to care.

Question 6

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Accepted Answer

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has completed an MBBS followed by a specialist MD in Psychiatry. Psychiatrists can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe and manage medications, and provide psychotherapy. A psychologist holds a postgraduate degree in psychology but is not a medical doctor and cannot prescribe medication. Both can deliver psychotherapy, but complex conditions often require the medical oversight that only a psychiatrist can provide.

Question 7

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a counsellor?

Accepted Answer

A counsellor typically holds a diploma or degree in counselling or psychology and provides emotional support and basic talk therapy. A psychiatrist is a fully qualified medical doctor who can diagnose mental health conditions, prescribe medication, order investigations, and manage complex or high-risk presentations. For conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or OCD, psychiatric care is usually necessary alongside or instead of counselling.

Question 8

Do I need a referral to see a psychiatrist in India?

Accepted Answer

No. You do not need a referral from a general physician to book an appointment with a psychiatrist in India. You can book directly through this website.

Question 9

What happens during the first psychiatry consultation?

Accepted Answer

The first appointment is longer than a follow-up — typically 60 to 90 minutes. It covers your presenting concerns, psychiatric and medical history, family history, social context, and relevant investigations if needed. Dr. Mitra will explain his diagnostic thinking, discuss treatment options with you, and agree a plan together. There is no pressure to start treatment before you feel ready and informed.

Question 10

How long does a follow-up psychiatry appointment take?

Accepted Answer

Follow-up appointments are typically 20 to 30 minutes. First consultations are longer — usually 60 to 90 minutes — to allow adequate time for a thorough history and shared decision-making.

Question 11

What is treatment-resistant depression?

Accepted Answer

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) refers to depression that has not adequately responded to at least two different antidepressant treatments given at adequate doses for sufficient duration. It does not mean depression is untreatable — it means standard first-line approaches have not worked and specialist assessment is needed to explore why, and to consider options such as medication combinations, augmentation strategies, psychotherapy, or neuromodulation treatments like rTMS or ECT.

Question 12

What is bipolar disorder and how is it different from mood swings?

Accepted Answer

Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric condition characterised by episodes of depression and mania or hypomania — periods of elevated mood, reduced need for sleep, increased energy, and impaired judgement. Unlike ordinary mood swings, these episodes are sustained (days to weeks), significantly impact functioning, and require specific treatment. Bipolar I involves full manic episodes; Bipolar II involves hypomania and depression. Accurate diagnosis is important because the treatment of bipolar disorder is different from that of unipolar depression.

Question 13

What is perinatal psychiatry?

Accepted Answer

Perinatal psychiatry covers the assessment and treatment of mental health conditions during pregnancy and in the year following childbirth. This includes perinatal depression, anxiety, OCD, psychosis, and the management of pre-existing psychiatric conditions in women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Treatment decisions in this period require careful weighing of risks to both mother and infant, including the risks of untreated illness versus treatment.

Question 14

Can adult ADHD be diagnosed in adulthood?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Adult ADHD is frequently missed or misdiagnosed, particularly in those who developed compensatory strategies through education. Common presentations include chronic difficulty with organisation, time management, sustained attention, and impulsivity — often alongside anxiety or mood symptoms. A thorough psychiatric assessment can clarify the diagnosis and determine whether medication, psychotherapy, or a combination is most appropriate.

Question 15

What is geriatric psychiatry?

Accepted Answer

Geriatric psychiatry addresses mental health conditions in older adults — typically those over 60 — including depression, anxiety, late-onset psychosis, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), and the complex interaction between physical health, medications, and mental wellbeing. Assessment in this group requires particular attention to cognitive changes, medical comorbidities, and polypharmacy.

Question 16

What is rTMS and is it available in Gurugram?

Accepted Answer

rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) is a non-invasive neuromodulation treatment that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific regions of the brain. It is approved for treatment-resistant depression and is increasingly used for OCD and anxiety. Dr. Mitra completed hands-on rTMS training at AIIMS Delhi. Availability at Athena Behavioural Health — please enquire at the time of consultation.

Question 17

What is ECT and when is it used?

Accepted Answer

ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for severe or treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder with severe episodes, and certain presentations of psychosis. It is administered under general anaesthesia and is far safer than outdated portrayals suggest. Dr. Mitra completed ECT training at NIMHANS, Bengaluru.

Question 18

What is deprescribing?

Accepted Answer

Deprescribing is the planned, supervised reduction or discontinuation of a medication when it is no longer needed or when the risk-benefit balance has changed. In psychiatry, this means clearly defining treatment endpoints from the start and tapering medications gradually and safely when appropriate. Every patient of Dr. Mitra is told, from the first appointment, under what conditions their treatment might be reduced or stopped.

Question 19

Will I need to take psychiatric medication indefinitely?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily. For many conditions — including a first episode of depression — treatment is time-limited and medication can be tapered after a period of sustained recovery. For others, longer-term maintenance may significantly reduce the risk of relapse. The answer depends on diagnosis, episode history, and individual circumstances, and is always explained clearly.

Question 20

What is Motivational Interviewing?

Accepted Answer

Motivational Interviewing is a structured, evidence-based therapeutic approach designed to strengthen a person's own motivation and commitment to change — particularly useful in addiction, treatment reluctance, and lifestyle-related issues. Dr. Mitra trained under Dr. William Miller, the psychologist who developed the MI approach.

Question 21

How do I book an appointment with Dr. Anindo Mitra?

Accepted Answer

Appointments can be booked directly through this website. Online video consultations are available to patients anywhere in India. In-person consultations are available at Athena Behavioural Health, Sector 47, Gurugram. WhatsApp +91 9310465035 or use the contact form on this site.

Question 22

Is psychiatric treatment confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Psychiatry consultations are confidential. Information you share is not disclosed to third parties without your consent, except in situations where there is a serious and imminent risk to safety — as is standard across all medical specialties in India.

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