Dr Vohra's · Updated
The interview
Expect 30 to 45 minutes of questions: what brought you, how long it has been going on, your mood through the day, sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, interest and pleasure, guilt and self-worth, thoughts of self-harm, past episodes, family history, medical conditions and medicines, alcohol and substances, major stresses, and how you are functioning at work and home. The psychiatrist also observes: speech, movement, expression.
A key question is whether there have ever been periods of unusually high energy or little need for sleep, because depression in bipolar disorder is treated differently.
Severity and type
Mild, moderate or severe depression is judged by the number and intensity of symptoms and the effect on function. The psychiatrist also notes features that change treatment: psychotic symptoms, marked anxiety, seasonal pattern, postpartum onset, or a long-standing milder form (dysthymia).
Tests
Blood tests: thyroid function, haemoglobin, vitamin B12 and D, blood sugar, and sometimes others, to exclude physical causes. Rating scales: PHQ-9 or similar, repeated at follow-ups to measure change. No brain scan is needed unless the history suggests a neurological cause.
After the diagnosis
The psychiatrist explains what was found and proposes a plan matched to severity: therapy alone for mild to moderate depression, medication with therapy for moderate to severe, and a follow-up in two to four weeks. You should leave knowing the diagnosis, the plan, what to expect in the first weeks, and whom to call if things worsen.
Frequently asked questions
- Can an online depression test diagnose me?
- No. Online tests such as the PHQ-9 screen for symptoms and are useful to decide whether to seek help, but diagnosis needs a clinical interview.
- Can depression be diagnosed online by a psychiatrist?
- Yes. A video consultation allows the full interview. Blood tests are done locally.
- How do I book at Dr Vohra's?
- Call or WhatsApp +91 99992 49223, email help@drvohras.com, or use the contact form. In person at 29/24, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110008, or online across India.
- What if this is an emergency?
- Call Tele-MANAS 14416 or KIRAN 1800-599-0019 (24x7, free) or 112. Dr Vohra's is not an emergency service.