Mind & Mood Clinic

Neuro-Psychiatry | Deaddiction | Sexology | Counseling

Book An Appointment
Psychiatrist counseling a patient about mental health recovery with therapy, medication, and lifestyle support.

Patient Information & Follow-up Guidelines

Leave a Comment / Mental Health Clinic / By

💬 Understanding Your Concerns

It’s completely normal to feel worried or unsure about visiting a psychiatrist. Many people have the same fears:

  • “What if people find out?”
  • “Will I be forced to take strong medicines forever?”
  • “Maybe this is just stress. Won’t it go away on its own?”

Let’s be clear: Seeing a psychiatrist does not mean you are “weak” or “crazy.” It means you are taking a brave step to care for your mind, just like you would see a doctor for high blood pressure or diabetes.

Mental health conditions are medical problems, not a sign of a moral failing. They can be caused by stress, genetics, or changes in your brain’s chemistry. And the most important thing to know is: they can be treated.

Sadly, many people wait too long to get help because of fear or bad information. Studies show that it can take 2-3 years for someone in India to finally see a psychiatrist after their symptoms start.

In that time, life gets harder. Work suffers, relationships become strained, and you can lose your confidence.

Getting help early means getting better faster, often with less medicine.

Follow-up Guidelines:

 

📸 1. Keep a Copy of Your Prescription

Your prescription is a very important paper. It has all the key details about your treatment.

  • Take a clear photo of it with your phone or make a photocopy.
  • Save it somewhere safe (like in your email or a phone gallery).
  • This helps you (and any doctor) know your exact treatment plan and avoids confusion later.

 

🕒 2. Clinic Timings & Appointments

Clinic Hours (For in-person visits)

  • Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Saturday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM (We close at 4:00 PM sharp)
  • Sunday: Closed

Phone & WhatsApp Hours (For questions & booking)

  • Time: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM only
  • Phone / WhatsApp: +91-8208823738

Why You MUST Have an Appointment

  • An appointment is compulsory. Please do not come to the clinic without one.
  • We give each patient the time they need. Counseling sessions can take up to one hour.
  • If you walk in without an appointment, you will likely have a very long wait, or we may have to ask you to come back another day.
  • We believe your time is just as valuable as the doctor’s, and we do not want to waste it.

Please note that our team/doctor responds to messages only between 10:00 AM and 1:30 PM. For any emergencies, we request you to visit the clinic immediately.

Online or Out-of-Town Patients

If you’re travelling from outside Nagpur or planning an online consultation, please schedule your appointment at least one week in advance.
This allows us to allocate sufficient time for a detailed consultation.
If you wish to have your prescribed medications delivered, please note that delivery may take 2–4 days, depending on your location.

 

⚠️ 4. A Warning: Don’t Google Your Medicine or Use ChatGPT for Medical Advice

It’s completely natural to feel curious about the medicine you are taking. But please avoid searching for your medicines on Google, Instagram, YouTube—or asking AI tools (including ChatGPT)—for medical guidance.

❗ Why? Because online medical information is often:

  • Incomplete

  • Misleading

  • Removed from real clinical context

  • Designed to scare you for views

This can trigger something known as the Nocebo Effect, where negative expectations from online content can make you feel worse, increase anxiety, or cause side effects only because you read about them.

Your treatment is individualised. Your dosage, timing, and specific medication choice are made for your unique symptoms, health history, and brain chemistry.
No website or AI can replace that.

🚫 What You Should Not Do

🔻 1. Do NOT take someone else’s medicine

For example:

  • Your cousin says, “This anti-anxiety tablet worked great for me, you try it.”

  • Your friend gives you leftover antidepressants saying, “It helped me sleep.”

💡 Medicines are not one-size-fits-all. What suits one person can harm another.

🔻 2. Do NOT change your dose on your own

Don’t increase or decrease the dose just because:

  • A YouTube video called the medicine “dangerous”

  • Instagram reels claim “this tablet will damage your brain”

  • A random website lists scary side effects

💡 Your doctor adjusts doses slowly and scientifically based on your response—not online opinions.

🔻 3. Do NOT stop or start medicines after reading something online

Stopping suddenly can cause:

  • Withdrawal symptoms

  • Mood swings

  • Headaches

  • Panic attacks

  • Relapse of the illness

Starting a new medicine after watching a “motivation reel” or a “wellness influencer” is also risky.

⚠️ Beware of Fake Mental Health Advice on Instagram & YouTube

Unfortunately, social media algorithms often promote fear-based or fake-science content.

❌ Common fake or unscientific advice you may see:

  • “This one herb cures depression in 7 days 😳”

  • “Psychiatric medicines are poison, stop immediately!”

  • “Take this ₹499 energy bracelet to heal anxiety.”

  • “Meditation is enough for bipolar disorder—no need for treatment.”

  • “Your therapist is scamming you, follow my lifestyle routine instead.”

❌ Examples of misleading posts:

  • A reel showing a person crying after taking antidepressants, claiming “these medicines ruin your brain.”

  • A YouTube video saying, “Psychiatry is a business; depression is not real.”

  • Influencers recommending random supplements (magnesium, CBD oil, ashwagandha) without knowing your medical condition or interactions.

💡 These creators are not responsible for your health, they are responsible only for their views and followers.

 

🗒️ 5. Track Your Progress / Need More Time for Consultation?

Keep a small notebook or use your phone to note down your sleep hours, mood, energy levels, appetite, and any symptoms you notice. You can also write your questions or concerns on paper or your phone and bring them during consultation. This simple habit helps you understand your recovery better and makes each follow-up session more meaningful and effective.

 

👨‍👩‍👧 6. Family Support is Key

If a patient is refusing to take medicine or see the doctor, family members should still come for the follow-up. This is very common.

Even if the patient doesn’t come, a relative can talk to the psychiatrist with the prescription and give an update. Getting help for your loved one (even when they refuse it) can prevent their condition from getting worse.

This is a great addition to a blog. It transforms a common patient concern into an informative guide, building trust through transparency. Here is the rephrased version for a blog format, including a clear breakdown of which therapy suits specific disorders.

7. “I’m Not Comfortable with Medication”—Is Therapy Right for Me?

It is a common misconception that mental health care always starts with a prescription. If you are hesitant about taking medication, that is completely okay. Your comfort and autonomy are our top priorities.

While medication works biologically by balancing brain chemistry, Psychological Therapy works by helping you understand your thoughts, emotions, and behavior patterns. It equips you with practical, lifelong coping skills. Many of our clients achieve significant progress through “talk therapy” alone.

Medication vs. Therapy: What’s the Difference?

  • Medication: Works biologically to balance brain chemicals (the “hardware”). It is often faster at stabilizing physical symptoms like sleep, appetite, or severe panic.

  • Therapy: Works psychologically to change thought patterns and behaviors (the “software”). It focuses on root causes and builds practical, lifelong coping skills.

The “Gold Standard” Approach

For many conditions like Major Depression, OCD, and Severe Anxiety, the combination of both is considered the Gold Standard. Medication stabilizes the mind so that you have the mental energy to engage deeply in therapy.

Our Specialized Therapies & What They Treat

We offer evidence-based, structured sessions tailored to specific conditions. Here is a guide to which therapy might be right for you:

Therapy Type Best Suited For… How it Helps
CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) Depression, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Phobias, Hypochondria, health anxiety, cardiac anxiety, etc Identifies and changes negative thought loops and “stuck” behaviors.
ERP (Exposure & Response Prevention) OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) The gold standard for OCD; it helps you face fears without performing rituals.
DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), Self-harm, Intense Mood Swings Focuses on emotional regulation, mindfulness, and managing distress.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization) PTSD, Childhood Trauma, Grief Helps the brain “reprocess” painful memories so they no longer cause distress.
Clinical Hypnotherapy Chronic Stress, Smoking Cessation, Habit Breaking Uses deep relaxation to access the subconscious and change deep-seated habits.
Supportive Counselling Relationship issues, Family conflict, Life transitions Provides a safe space to improve communication and navigate life’s challenges.

Important Logistics for Therapy Seekers

If you are considering therapy instead of, or alongside, medication, here is what you need to know about our process:

  • Session Structure: Each session lasts approximately one hour and is typically scheduled once a week or every 15 days to ensure steady progress.

  • Flexible Access: We offer both offline (in-clinic) and online sessions for your convenience.

  • Booking Policy: Please note that therapy and counseling are specialized services. They are not included in a routine psychiatric consultation and must be booked separately with their own charges.

  • Planning Ahead: Due to the high demand for our specialists, there is currently a waiting period of approximately 3–4 weeks (last updated: 30 December 2025).

Expert Advice: If you are feeling overwhelmed, we recommend booking your therapy assessment as early as possible to secure a slot that fits your schedule.

 

🩺 8. Bring Your Other Prescriptions

If you take medicine for other conditions (like BP, diabetes, thyroid, or heart problems), please bring those prescriptions to your visit. This is very important to make sure all your medicines can be taken safely together.

 

⚖️ 9. Managing Common Side Effects

  • Sleepiness: Try taking your medicine at night or Take half of what prescribed
  • Weight Gain: A daily 30-45 minute walk and avoiding sugar or substituting to non calorie sweetener can make a big difference.
  • Acidity/Stomach Upset: Take your medicine after you eat, not on an empty stomach.
  • Constipation: Drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables, and try to walk daily.
  • Mild Headache: This is usually temporary. Let your doctor know if it doesn’t go away.

Remember: Give your body about 1-2 week to get used to a new medicine.

 

💪 10. Exercise for Your Mind

Exercise is a powerful treatment for your mind. It boosts your brain’s natural mood-lifting chemicals.

  • Try: A brisk 30-45 minute walk, 5 days a week.
  • Also Try: 20 minutes of yoga or stretching to relax.
  • Simple Start: Just 5-10 minutes of deep breathing (inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 6 seconds) twice a day can calm your system.

Start small, but be consistent. Even a short daily walk can change how you feel.

 

🧘‍♀️ 11. Meditation & Relaxation

Meditation helps calm a busy, anxious mind. It’s not complicated.

  • How to start:
    1. Sit or lie down somewhere quiet.
    2. Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths.
    3. Focus only on your breathing.
    4. If your mind wanders, just gently bring your focus back to your breath.
  • Try this for just 10 minutes a day. You can also use free apps like YouTube, Calm, or Headspace for “guided meditations.”

 

🌙 12. Sleep is Your Foundation

Good sleep is the foundation of recovery. Aim for 7-8 hours every night.

  • Do: Try to sleep and wake up at the same time every day (even on weekends).
  • Do: Keep your room dark, quiet, and cool.
  • Don’t: Use your phone, laptop, or TV for at least 1 hour before bed.
  • Don’t: Take long naps (more than 30 minutes) during the day.
  • Don’t: Use your bed for work. Your bed is for sleep only.

💊 13. Questions About Your Medicine (FAQs)

Q1. Can I stop my medicines once I feel better?

No. Always talk to your doctor before stopping. Stopping suddenly can make your symptoms come back or cause withdrawal.

Q2. Are these medicines addictive?

No. These medicines are not habit-forming. They work by fixing a chemical balance in your brain. They don’t cause cravings.

Q3. What if I miss a dose?

Take it as soon as you remember. BUT, if it’s almost time for your next dose, just skip the missed one. Never take two doses to “catch up.”

Q4. What if I have side effects?

Most side effects are mild and go away after a few days. Tell your doctor about them so we can help or make changes safely.

Q4. What other problems do you see?

We treat a wide range of issues related to psychiatry, sexology, de-addiction, and counselling.

This includes problems like depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, sleep issues, relationship issues, sexual problems (such as erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation), addiction to alcohol or substances, and stress-related emotional difficulties.

 

🧠 Why Regular Treatment Matters

Think of your treatment like fixing a broken bone. It needs time and a cast to heal properly. Your brain also needs time to heal and rebalance its chemicals.

Stopping your treatment too soon is like taking a cast off weeks early. It can undo all your progress.

Please don’t be afraid of modern psychiatric medicines. They are:

  • Safe (when a doctor is guiding you)
  • Not addictive
  • Adjustable (we can change the dose to fit you)

If you have side effects, we will work with you to fix them. There is always a solution.

 

🤝 What If the Patient Refuses to Visit?

Sometimes, the illness itself makes a person believe they are not sick or makes them afraid to get help. This is very common.

In this case, family members should still visit the clinic with the Prescription.

The psychiatrist can guide the family on:

  • How to manage medicine at home.
  • How to talk to the patient in a way that helps.
  • How to spot early warning signs.

Gentle support and patience from the family are essential for recovery.

 

💡 Common Fears vs. Facts

Your Fear The Fact (The Truth)
“These medicines will damage my kidney or liver.” Modern medicines are very safe. If you’re worried, we can do simple blood tests to show that everything is okay.
“They will make me feel dull and sleepy all the time.” Our goal is to make you feel clear, active, and like yourself again. If you feel “dull,” we will adjust the dose.
“I’ll get addicted.” These medicines are not addictive. They don’t cause cravings. They work to restore your natural balance.
“I’m not ‘mad,’ why should I see a psychiatrist?” Psychiatrists help with all kinds of problems: stress, anxiety, sleep issues, sadness, and family conflicts. It’s about getting back to feeling good.

 

❤️ A Final Message from Dr. Rameez Shaikh

“Mental health recovery is teamwork—it’s a partnership between you, your family, and your doctor.

Medicines, therapy, exercise, and good sleep all work together to help you heal completely.

Be patient with yourself, stay regular with your treatment, and trust the process. Every small step you take is a step towards peace of mind.”

 

📍 Mind & Mood Clinic, Nagpur

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Rameez Shaikh, MD (Psychiatrist & Counsellor)
📞 +91-820882373

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *