Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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. For a full breakdown of each area, see the Conditions Treated page.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

No. You do not need a referral from a general physician to book an appointment with a psychiatrist in India. You can book directly. If you are unsure whether psychiatry is the right starting point for your concern, you are welcome to reach out before booking and describe your situation briefly.

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. To read more about how Dr. Mitra approaches treatment, visit the About page.

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. Dr. Mitra's approach to depression is described in detail on the Conditions Treated page."

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.

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

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.

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.

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, anxiety, and other conditions. Dr. Mitra completed hands-on rTMS training at AIIMS Delhi and has clinical expertise in identifying suitable candidates and guiding patients through the process. Availability at Athena Behavioural Health — please enquire at the time of consultation.

ECT is a highly effective, evidence-based treatment for severe or treatment-resistant depression, bipolar disorder with severe episodes, and certain presentations of psychosis — particularly when rapid response is clinically necessary. It is administered under general anaesthesia and is far safer and more precisely delivered than the outdated portrayals in popular culture suggest. Dr. Mitra completed ECT training at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. It is one of several treatment options discussed when relevant — never prescribed without thorough explanation and informed consent.

Deprescribing is the planned, supervised reduction or discontinuation of a medication when it is no longer needed, is causing harm, or when the risk-benefit balance has changed. In psychiatry, this means ensuring patients are not on more medication than necessary, that treatment endpoints are clearly defined from the start, and that tapering is done gradually and safely. Dr. Mitra believes that planning for recovery and starting treatment are not two separate conversations — every patient is told, from the first appointment, under what conditions their treatment might be reduced or stopped. Medication tapering is one of the most requested aspects of the ManoMitra practice — more detail is on the Conditions Treated page.

Not necessarily, and not without discussion. 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 reduce the risk of relapse significantly. The answer depends on diagnosis, episode history, and individual circumstances. What Dr. Mitra commits to is explaining the reasoning at every stage and ensuring you understand the conditions under which your treatment might change.

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 mental health issues. Dr. Mitra trained under Dr. William Miller, the psychologist who developed the MI approach. MI is incorporated into consultations where appropriate rather than delivered as a standalone session.

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. Use the Contact page to request an appointment, or WhatsApp directly on +91 93104 65035.

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. The length of follow-up appointments can be extended if more complex issues need to be addressed at a given visit.

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 your safety or the safety of others — as is standard across all medical specialties in India. If you have questions about confidentiality, please ask at the start of your appointment.