Dr Vohra's · Updated
Signs to look for
- Worry that is hard to control, most days, for six months or more
- Restlessness, feeling on edge
- Muscle tension, headaches, stomach upset
- Racing heart, sweating, breathlessness
- Poor sleep and concentration
- Avoiding situations that trigger the fear
At Dr Vohra's
Who to see first: a psychiatrist or a psychologist; the clinic coordinates both.
Clinicians: Dr. Sandeep Vohra, Dr. Aditya Vohra
Treatments: Psychiatric consultation, Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Psychotherapy and counselling, Medication management, Mindfulness-based therapy
ICD-11: 6B00 to 6B0Z
Types of anxiety disorder
Panic disorder and OCD are related conditions with their own pages. Anxiety often coexists with depression, and the evaluation checks for both.
- Generalised anxiety disorder (ICD-11 6B00): persistent, wide-ranging worry with tension and poor sleep
- Social anxiety disorder (6B04): intense fear of being judged in social or performance situations
- Specific phobias (6B03): fear of a particular object or situation, such as flying or injections
- Agoraphobia (6B02): fear of places where escape or help feels unavailable
- Health anxiety: persistent fear of serious illness despite reassurance
- Separation anxiety in children and adults
What are the signs?
Anxiety shows up in the body as much as the mind, and in India it is common for the first consultation to be with a physician for palpitations, chest tightness or stomach symptoms before anxiety is recognised.
- Worry that is hard to control, most days, for six months or more
- Restlessness, feeling keyed up or on edge
- Muscle tension, headaches, stomach upset
- Racing heart, sweating, trembling, breathlessness
- Difficulty sleeping and concentrating
- Avoiding situations that trigger the fear, which keeps the fear going
How is anxiety treated at Dr Vohra's?
The evaluation rules out medical causes (thyroid overactivity, caffeine and stimulant use, some medicines) and identifies which anxiety disorder is present, because the treatment differs. CBT is the first-line treatment: for generalised anxiety it works on worry and intolerance of uncertainty; for social anxiety and phobias it uses graded exposure; for health anxiety it works on checking and reassurance-seeking. Most people need 8 to 16 weekly sessions.
Medication is added when symptoms are severe, when therapy is not enough, or when depression is also present. SSRIs and SNRIs are the usual choice; they take four to six weeks to work and are continued for six to twelve months. Benzodiazepines are used only briefly, if at all, because of dependence. Beta-blockers can help performance anxiety. Mindfulness-based therapy helps with chronic worry once acute symptoms settle.
What can I do today?
- Cut caffeine and alcohol, which both worsen anxiety
- Keep a regular sleep schedule
- Do not avoid: avoidance relieves anxiety for an hour and strengthens it for a month
- Slow breathing (four seconds in, six out) during a surge
- Book an evaluation if it has lasted more than a few weeks
Frequently asked questions
- Can anxiety be cured?
- Most anxiety disorders respond well to treatment; many people become symptom-free, and the rest learn to manage symptoms so they no longer limit life. Skills learned in CBT keep working after therapy ends.
- Do I need medication for anxiety?
- Not always. CBT alone is effective for most mild to moderate anxiety disorders. Medication is added for severe symptoms, when therapy is not enough, or when depression is also present.
- Is online treatment available for anxiety?
- Yes. CBT and psychiatric follow-ups work well by video call, and online sessions are available across India in English and Hindi.
- How do I book an appointment at Dr Vohra's?
- Call or WhatsApp +91 99992 49223, email help@drvohras.com, or use the contact form. Appointments are in person at 29/24, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110008, or online by secure video or voice call across India, in English and Hindi.
- What if I am in crisis right now?
- Call Tele-MANAS 14416 or KIRAN 1800-599-0019, both 24x7 and free anywhere in India, or 112 for emergency services. Dr Vohra's is an outpatient clinic, not an emergency service.