Dr Pavan Sonar
Senior Psychiatrist & Sexologist
One of the most common questions people in Mumbai ask before seeking mental health help is: “Am I actually depressed, or am I just sad?” This question matters — and the answer determines whether what you are experiencing will pass…
One of the most common sources of confusion for people seeking mental health care in Mumbai is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist. Both are qualified professionals who help with mental health — but they have fundamentally different…
Erectile dysfunction (ED) — the consistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse — affects a significant proportion of men in Mumbai, particularly from middle age onwards. Yet despite its prevalence, many men suffer in…
Premature ejaculation (PE) is the most common male sexual dysfunction worldwide, yet it remains one of the most under-discussed topics in India. Men in Mumbai — and across the country — often suffer in silence due to embarrassment, cultural taboo,…
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is one of the most misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed mental health conditions. People with BPD experience intense emotional pain, unstable relationships, and a profound fear of abandonment — often expressing this through self-destructive behaviour that those…
Depression in women is significantly more prevalent than in men — yet it is also more frequently dismissed, minimised, or misattributed to hormones, life circumstances, or personality. In Mumbai, where women balance demanding careers, family responsibilities, and social expectations with…
“You don’t need those pills — just exercise and meditate.” “Those antidepressants will make you a zombie.” “Why are you taking medication when you can cure yourself naturally?” These are examples of “pill shaming” — the judgement, criticism, or discouragement…
Depression and anxiety in older adults — those aged 60 and above — represent one of the most under-recognised and under-treated mental health challenges in Mumbai. While society readily acknowledges that younger people experience mental health difficulties, the emotional struggles…
ADHD — Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder — is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions affecting children in India, yet it remains chronically under-diagnosed in Mumbai schools and communities. Many children with ADHD are labelled as “lazy,” “naughty,” or “inattentive” for years…
Children in Mumbai are growing up in one of the world’s most intense urban environments — competitive schools, pressure to excel in sports and extracurriculars, social media exposure from increasingly early ages, and the daily stresses of navigating a city…
