Department of Psychiatry

Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai provides a full range of outpatient psychiatric care tailored to each person’s needs. The Department of Psychiatry at Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai treats all types of disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, addiction, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder like Panic disorder, OCD, Phobias, Dementia, insomnia, sexual disorders and chronic pain, as well as some of the rarest and most challenging conditions. The team of experts with several years of experience offer comprehensive evaluations to assess psychological and physical concerns. 

Diagnosis of psychiatric problems

Diagnosing psychiatric problems is challenging because sometimes it’s difficult to find out which mental illness may be causing your symptoms. However, taking the time and effort to get an accurate diagnosis will help determine the appropriate treatment. The more information you have, the more you will be prepared to work with your mental health professional in understanding what your symptoms may represent.

Treatments for psychiatric problems

Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai offers extensive psychiatric treatment, and it depends on the type of mental illness you have, its severity and what works best for you. In many cases, a combination of psychological and pharmacological treatments works best.
The main classes of mental illness are:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders
  This class covers a wide range of problems that usually begin in infancy or childhood, often before the child begins grade school. Examples include autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders.
• Schizophrenia spectrum and psychotic disorder
  Psychotic disorders cause detachment from reality — such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking and speech. The most notable example is schizophrenia, although other classes of disorders can be associated with detachment from reality at times.
• Bipolar and related disorders
  This class includes disorders with alternating episodes of mania — periods of excessive activity, energy and excitement — and depression.
• Depressive disorders
  These include disorders that affect how you feel emotionally, such as the level of sadness and happiness, and they can disrupt your ability to function. Examples include major depressive disorder and premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
• Anxiety disorders
  Anxiety is an emotion characterized by the anticipation of future danger or misfortune, along with excessive worrying. It can include behaviour aimed at avoiding situations that cause anxiety. This class includes generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias.
• Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders
  These disorders involve preoccupations or obsessions and repetitive thoughts and actions. Examples include obsessive-compulsive disorder, hoarding disorder and hair-pulling disorder (trichotillomania).
• Trauma and stressor-related disorders
  These are adjustment disorders in which a person has trouble coping during or after a stressful life event. Examples include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder.
• Dissociative disorders
  These are disorders in which your sense of self is disrupted, such as with dissociative identity disorder and dissociative amnesia.
• Somatic symptom and related disorders
  A person with one of these disorders may have physical symptoms that cause major emotional distress and problems functioning. There may or may not be another diagnosed medical condition associated with these symptoms, but the reaction to the symptoms is not normal. The disorders include somatic symptom disorder, illness anxiety disorder and factitious disorder.
• Feeding and eating disorders
  These disorders include disturbances related to eating that impact nutrition and health, such as anorexia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.
• Sleep-wake disorder
  These are disorders of sleep severe enough to require clinical attention, such as insomnia, sleep apnoea and restless legs syndrome.
• Sexual dysfunctions
  These include disorders of sexual function, such as premature ejaculation and female orgasmic disorder.
• Disruptive, impulse-control and conduct
  These disorders include problems with emotional and behavioural self-control, such as kleptomania or intermittent explosive disorder.
• Substance-related and addictive disorders
  These include problems associated with the excessive use of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco and drugs. This class also includes gambling disorder.
• Personality disorders
  A personality disorder involves a lasting pattern of emotional instability and unhealthy behaviour that causes problems in your life and relationships. Examples include borderline, antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders.
• Paraphilic disorders
  These disorders include sexual interest that causes personal distress or impairment or causes potential or actual harm to another person. Examples are sexual sadism disorder, voyeuristic disorder and paedophilic disorder.

Psychiatrists/ Mental Health Specialists

The Psychiatrists at Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai are trained from apex institutions in India and United Kingdom and have distinguished experience, knowledge, and skills that help them in providing the best psychological services to our patients.

Our team of the best psychiatrists in Mumbai is constantly engaged in creating psycho-educational content, providing mental health care strategies in the form of various articles that we publish on social media and in esteemed newspapers and magazines in order to reach out to the majority. We also conduct various workshops and hold talks to widen the reach of mental health to encourage a conversation in this direction.

• What are Diagnosis of psychiatric problems
  Diagnosing psychiatric problems involves a comprehensive assessment that integrates information from various sources, including interviews, observations, medical history, and psychological testing. Here are the key components and methods used in the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders:

1. Clinical Interviews: Mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, or clinical social workers, conduct structured or semi-structured interviews to gather information about the individual's symptoms, personal history, family history, and current functioning. These interviews may also assess for comorbid medical conditions or substance use disorders.
2. Diagnostic Criteria: Mental health professionals refer to diagnostic manuals such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) to identify and classify psychiatric disorders based on specific criteria sets for each disorder.
3. Medical History and Physical Examination: Gathering information about the individual's medical history, including any past or current medical conditions, medications, and substance use, is crucial. A physical examination may also be conducted to rule out any medical conditions that may mimic psychiatric symptoms.
4. Psychological Testing: Psychological assessments, such as personality tests, intelligence tests, and symptom inventories, may be administered to gather additional information about the individual's cognitive functioning, personality traits, and emotional state.
5. Laboratory Tests: In some cases, laboratory tests such as blood tests, urine tests, or imaging studies (e.g., MRI, CT scan) may be ordered to rule out underlying medical conditions or to assess the impact of substances on brain function.
6. Collateral Information: Gathering information from family members, caregivers, or other relevant individuals can provide valuable insights into the individual's symptoms, behavior patterns, and social functioning.
7. Observation: Observing the individual's behavior, emotions, and interactions in various settings (e.g., clinical settings, home, school, work) can help in understanding their functioning and identifying any observable symptoms or impairments.
8. Cultural Considerations: Considering cultural factors is essential in diagnosing psychiatric disorders, as cultural beliefs, norms, and values can influence symptom presentation, help-seeking behaviors, and treatment preferences.
9. Collaborative Approach: Diagnosing psychiatric disorders often involves a multidisciplinary team approach, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals. Collaboration allows for a comprehensive assessment and formulation of an appropriate treatment plan.
10. Longitudinal Assessment: Psychiatric diagnoses may evolve over time based on ongoing monitoring and assessment of symptoms, treatment response, and changes in the individual's life circumstances. Regular follow-ups and re-evaluations are important for ensuring accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.