Biography

Dr. Smriti Mahajan is one of the distinguished Consultant Psychiatrists. She practises at Healing Hospital, Chandigarh with an extensive background in mental health care and comprehensive expertise in managing diverse psychiatric conditions across all age groups. She brings exceptional skills in psychiatric assessment, psychotherapy, counselling, and evidence-based treatment to the Tricity mental health landscape.

Dr. Mahajan completed her MBBS and MD in Psychiatry from Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh—where she graduated at the top of her class, demonstrating her academic brilliance and dedication to medicine.

During her senior residency at GMCH, Chandigarh, Dr. Mahajan received comprehensive and intensive training in various psychiatric services including general adult psychiatry (managing depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia), child and adolescent mental health (autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, behavioral disorders, adolescent mental health issues), de-addiction services (alcohol, drug, and substance abuse treatment), both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric rehabilitation, marital-sexual clinic (sexual disorders, marital conflicts, relationship counselling), consultation-liaison psychiatry (psychiatric care for patients with medical illnesses), and community outreach programs (mental health awareness and early intervention in communities).

Dr. Mahajan has developed expertise in managing a wide range of mental disorders including psychiatric emergencies such as acute psychosis, suicidal ideation, severe depression, and agitation, as well as employing various psychotherapy and counselling techniques including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), supportive psychotherapy, family therapy, and marital counselling. She is a strong advocate for a collaborative approach to mental health care, working alongside other healthcare professionals including psychologists, social workers, and medical specialists to improve patient outcomes through integrated care.

Her special interests include women’s mental health (peripartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, menopausal mental health, reproductive psychiatry), child and adolescent psychiatry (developmental disorders, behavioral problems, school-related issues, adolescent mental health), and marital and family counselling (relationship conflicts, family dynamics, pre-marital counselling). Dr. Mahajan also focuses on early intervention and prevention strategies to promote mental well-being and reduce the burden of chronic mental illness.

Dr. Mahajan specializes in the complete spectrum of psychiatric conditions including anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety, phobias, health anxiety), depression (major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, dysthymia, postpartum depression), bipolar disorder (mood stabilization, prevention of manic and depressive episodes), child and adolescent psychiatry (autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, conduct disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, learning disabilities), OCD – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (exposure and response prevention therapy, medication management), substance use and addiction disorders (de-addiction services for alcohol, drugs, tobacco, behavioral addictions), psychosis and schizophrenia (acute psychotic episodes, chronic schizophrenia management, first-episode psychosis), comprehensive counselling services (individual therapy, group therapy, supportive counselling), marital and family therapy (couple counselling, family conflict resolution, communication skills training), sexual disorders (erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low libido, sexual dysfunction in women), and sleep disorders (insomnia, sleep-wake rhythm disorders, sleep disturbances in psychiatric conditions).

Dr. Mahajan has made significant academic contributions with multiple research publications in prestigious national and international journals including studies on Gandhian thought and mental health, mental disorders in medical students, substance use and sexual functioning in women, long-term morbidity and mortality in schizophrenia, efficacy of risperidone and methylphenidate in autism spectrum disorder, Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), diagnosis and management of intellectual disability, maladaptive daydreaming, and psychosurgery in Indian scenario. Her research reflects her commitment to advancing psychiatric knowledge and evidence-based practice.

She has presented her research at national conferences including a poster on the effect of risperidone on core symptoms of autism at the 6th National Conference of WAPR-IC (awarded Best Poster in May 2019), poster on efficacy and safety of risperidone in children with autism at GMCH Research Day (October 2019), and oral paper on efficacy of methylphenidate in children with autism at the 15th Biennial National Conference of IACAM (November 2019), demonstrating her expertise in child and adolescent psychiatry.

Passionate about raising awareness, Dr. Mahajan is dedicated to educating the public about mental health, reducing stigma associated with mental disorders, and emphasizing the importance of seeking help for mental health concerns. She believes in empowering patients and families with knowledge about mental health conditions and treatment options.

According to Dr. Mahajan, “Mental health is as important as physical health. Early intervention, compassionate care, and evidence-based treatment can transform lives and restore hope for individuals and families struggling with mental health challenges.” She is medically very sound and believes in ethical practice with evidence-based, patient-centered treatment. She makes sure that her patients and families are fully aware of their mental health conditions, treatment options, medication effects, and therapeutic approaches, and goes the extra mile in educating them about mental wellness strategies, coping skills, lifestyle modifications, and long-term mental health maintenance from counselling and psychotherapy to pharmacological interventions, ensuring informed decision-making at every step.