NWNT · Updated
Signs to look for
- Feeling low, empty or flat most of the day for two weeks or longer
- Losing interest in work, people or hobbies that used to matter
- Sleeping badly, or far too much
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Tiredness that rest does not fix, and trouble concentrating
- Feeling worthless, guilty or like a burden
- Thoughts that life is not worth living
With NWNT
Who to see first: a psychiatrist or a psychologist; the Stressometer helps decide.
Clinicians: Dr. Sandeep Vohra, Dr. Aditya Vohra
Treatments: AI mental health screening (Stressometer), Online psychiatric consultation, Online counselling with a psychologist, In-person psychiatry and psychology in Delhi
ICD-11: 6A70 to 6A7Z
How does depression show up?
Depression often creeps in. Someone stops calling friends, leaves meals half eaten, wakes at four in the morning and cannot get back to sleep. Work takes twice as long. Things that once felt good now feel like nothing at all.
In India, depression is often described through the body first: aches, weakness, poor appetite, a heavy head. In teenagers and men it can look more like irritability or anger than sadness. Family members are often the first to notice the change.
How does the Stressometer screen for depression?
The Clinical Symptoms section of the Stressometer asks about mood, interest, sleep, energy and hopelessness, and its other sections look at the life events, home and work pressures that may be driving them. It was validated against scales that include the DASS, which measures depression, anxiety and stress.
When the Emotional Wellness Index shows signs of depression, the report usually points to the third care path: a psychiatrist for medical evaluation and a psychologist for therapy. Milder, situational low mood may point to a psychologist first. Either way, the screen is a starting point, and a clinician makes the diagnosis.
What does care for depression look like?
The psychiatrist takes a full history, looks for medical causes such as thyroid problems or anaemia, checks on safety, and judges how severe the depression is. For milder depression, therapy may be enough. For moderate or severe depression, the psychiatrist may recommend an antidepressant alongside therapy and reviews progress regularly.
The psychologist works on the habits of thought and behaviour that keep depression going, using CBT and related approaches: planning small rewarding activities, questioning harsh self-talk, and rebuilding routine and sleep. In India, both are available through the hub by video, voice or in person. Abroad, NWNT can arrange online counselling where local rules allow and help set up local psychiatric care.
How can family and friends help?
- Ask directly how they are, and listen without rushing to fix it
- Offer practical help: a meal, a lift, a reminder about an appointment
- Suggest a screening or a first consultation, and offer to sit with them for it
- Take any talk of death or self-harm seriously and get help the same day
When is depression urgent?
If you or someone close to you has thoughts of suicide, has made a plan, or has stopped eating or drinking, treat it as an emergency. In India, call Tele-MANAS on 14416 (free, 24x7) or 112, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Outside India, call your local emergency number. NWNT and the hub are not emergency services.
Frequently asked questions
- Can the Stressometer diagnose depression?
- No. It is a screening tool. It can show that depression is likely and how strongly, and it suggests which care path to take, but a psychiatrist or psychologist makes the diagnosis after speaking with you.
- How soon will I feel better?
- It differs from person to person and depends on how severe the depression is. Your psychiatrist and psychologist review progress with you at each follow-up and change the plan if it is not helping enough.
- How do I get started with NWNT?
- Take the Stressometer online from anywhere in the world, or call or WhatsApp +91 78279 90371, or email help@nwnt.ai. In India, psychologist and psychiatrist sessions follow through Dr. Vohra's Emotional Wellness Hub, online or in person at 29/24, East Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110008. Outside India, NWNT helps you or your organisation reach locally licensed care.