💬 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.
💊 3. 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.
⚠️ 4. A Warning: Don’t Google Your Medicine Or use CHATGPT
Please avoid searching for your medicines on Google or asking AI tools (like ChatGPT) for medical advice.
- Online information is often incomplete or wrong, and it can cause a lot of needless worry. (NOCEBO EFFECT)
- Your prescription is made just for you. It is based on your unique symptoms, body, and brain chemistry.
Please do not:
- Take anyone else’s leftover medicine.
- Change your dose on your own.
- Stop or start medicine based on something you read online.
🗒️ 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.
💬 7. “I’m Not Comfortable with Medication”
It is perfectly okay to feel unsure about taking medicine. At our clinic, we have many other powerful, non-medication treatments that work very well.
We specialize in scientific therapies like:
- 🧠 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps you change negative thought patterns.
- 💧 Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Teaches you to manage strong emotions and stress.
- 🌀 ERP : Specially used for OCD
- 🌪️ EMDR: A special therapy to help you heal from bad memories or trauma.
- 🌀 Clinical Hypnotherapy: Uses deep, guided relaxation to help with stress, phobias, and bad habits.
- 🌼 Counselling (for individuals & families): A safe space to talk, improve communication, and get support.
These therapies can be used alone or combined with medicine. Your treatment plan is always based on your needs and your comfort.
🩺 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:
- Sit or lie down somewhere quiet.
- Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths.
- Focus only on your breathing.
- 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.
🧠 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
Dr. Rameez Shaikh (MBBS, MD, MIPS) is a consultant Psychiatrist, Sexologist & Psychotherapist in Nagpur and works at Mind & Mood Clinic. He believes that science-based treatment, encompassing spiritual, physical, and mental health, will provide you with the long-lasting knowledge and tool to find happiness and wholeness again.
Dr. Rameez Shaikh, a dedicated psychiatrist , is a beacon of compassion and understanding in the realm of mental health. With a genuine passion for helping others, he combines his extensive knowledge and empathetic approach to create a supportive space for his patients.
