In the bustling heart of Lucknow, where the aroma of kebabs mingles with the hum of daily life, Dr. Anil Kumar Agarwal has become a beacon of hope for those navigating the stormy seas of mental health. Picture a young Anil, a bright-eyed student at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, clutching his MBBS degree with dreams bigger than the sprawling campus. “I want to understand the human mind,” he’d tell his professors, his voice brimming with curiosity. “Not just treat it, but truly see it.” That passion led him to an MD in Psychiatry and a Diploma in Psychological Medicine (D.P.M.), laying the foundation for a career that would touch countless lives.
Years later, after rising to the rank of Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at King George’s Medical College (KGMC) in Lucknow, Dr. Agarwal decided to step into the world of private practice. “Teaching was my heart,” he once confided to a colleague over chai at a local stall, “but I want to sit with people, hear their stories, and help them find peace.” His Upasana Clinic in Nirala Nagar—tucked just beyond the Nirala Nagar Aliganj Flyover—became that sanctuary. With its welcoming vibe, it’s the kind of place where patients feel less like case files and more like old friends.
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In the bustling city of Lucknow, where the old-world charm of Nawabi culture meets the pulse of modern India, Dr. Anil Agarwal stands out like a beacon of calm in a storm. A distinguished psychiatrist, he’s the kind of man who commands a room without raising his voice. Tall, well-built, with a fair complexion and a pair of spectacles perched thoughtfully on his nose, Dr. Anil has an air of quiet authority. His speech, deliberate and measured, carries the weight of someone who’s spent decades unraveling the complexities of the human mind. But his journey to becoming one of Lucknow’s most respected mental health experts began far from the city’s vibrant streets, in the quieter town of Saharanpur.
Picture a young Anil, fresh out of Maharaj Singh College in Saharanpur, clutching his BSc degree with a mix of pride and restless ambition. “I always knew I wanted to understand people—not just their bodies, but their minds,” he’d later tell a colleague over chai at a psychiatry conference. “Science was my first love, but medicine gave me a way to connect with people’s stories.” That spark led him to pursue medicine, eventually specializing in psychiatry, a field where his calm demeanor and sharp intellect found their perfect home.
Dr. Anil’s life isn’t just confined to the clinic at B-104/2, Nirala Nagar, where patients stream in to seek his expertise on everything from anxiety to schizophrenia. He’s a man of the world, a traveler whose experiences have shaped his perspective as much as his medical training. I had the chance to travel with him on several occasions, including a memorable trip to Kenya. It was on a flight from Delhi to Nairobi that I saw Dr. Anil’s composure truly shine. As the plane climbed into the sky, the overhead air conditioning vent above us gave a loud groan, then a snap. White fumes—later confirmed to be harmless AC mist—poured into the cabin, looking for all the world like smoke. Panic erupted. Passengers shouted, some scrambled for their bags, others clutched their loved ones.
Amid the chaos, Dr. Anil stood up, his voice cutting through the din like a lighthouse beam. “Ladies and gentlemen, please, remain calm,” he said, each word steady and deliberate. “This is likely just the air conditioning system. There’s no fire, no danger. Let’s trust the crew and stay seated.” His measured sentences worked like a balm. People paused, looked at him, and slowly returned to their seats. By the time the cabin crew clarified the situation, Dr. Anil had already diffused the panic. Later, as we sipped coffee in Nairobi, he chuckled, “You know, sometimes being a psychiatrist means calming a whole plane, not just a patient.”
His ability to bring clarity to chaos isn’t limited to high-altitude emergencies. Dr. Anil is a regular at psychiatry conferences, where his insights are as sought-after as his presence is reassuring. But he’s not one to let sloppy thinking slide, even among peers. I recall a particularly lively meeting of the Association of Physicians of India, Dehradun branch, where Dr. Vineet, a well-meaning but overly confident physician, was addressing the group. Dr. Vineet, in a moment of hubris, declared, “This much psychiatry is good enough for physicians. You don’t need to dive too deep.”
Dr. Anil, sitting in the front row, adjusted his spectacles and raised a hand. The room fell silent. “With all due respect, Dr. Vineet,” he began, his tone as calm as ever, “science is science. It’s not a buffet where you pick what’s ‘good enough.’ Psychiatry demands the same rigor from physicians as any other field. Mental health isn’t a footnote—it’s the foundation of a patient’s well-being.” The room erupted in nods and murmurs of agreement. Dr. Vineet, red-faced, mumbled a concession. Later, over dinner, Dr. Anil shrugged it off. “I wasn’t trying to embarrass him,” he told me. “But if we don’t hold each other to high standards, who will?”
A member of the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry, Dr. Anil has dedicated his career to treating conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and addiction with a blend of compassion and precision. His clinic in Lucknow is a sanctuary for those grappling with mental health challenges, and his reputation as a retired professor from AIIMS, New Delhi, only adds to his credibility. “I believe in care that meets the patient where they are,” he once said, leaning back in his chair, his eyes bright behind his glasses. “It’s not about fixing people—it’s about helping them find their own strength.”
From the classrooms of Saharanpur to the conference halls of Dehradun and the skies above Nairobi, Dr. Anil Agarwal’s life is a testament to the power of staying calm, staying curious, and never settling for less than the truth. Whether he’s soothing a panicked plane or correcting a colleague’s oversight, he’s the kind of doctor—and human—who makes the world feel a little more manageable, one measured sentence at a time.
Dr. Agarwal’s expertise spans a wide canvas: depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, PTSD, addiction, and even the quiet struggles of grief or low confidence. His approach? Compassionate and practical. “The mind is like a river,” he might say during a session, leaning forward with a warm smile. “Sometimes it’s calm, sometimes it rages. My job is to help you navigate the current.” Whether it’s through counseling, anger management, hypnotherapy, or behavioral therapy, he tailors his methods to each person’s unique story.
One patient, a young woman battling anxiety, recalls her first visit vividly: “I was so nervous, my hands were shaking. But Dr. Agarwal just listened, no judgment. He said, ‘You’re not broken; you’re just carrying a heavy load. Let’s unpack it together.’ That changed everything.” Stories like hers ripple through Lucknow, earning him a reputation as a doctor who doesn’t just prescribe pills but offers hope.
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Agarwal has left his mark on academia, with works like his paper Religion and Mental Health in the Indian Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. “Mental health isn’t just science,” he told a group of students at a seminar, “it’s about culture, belief, and the human spirit.” As a member of the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry (Uttar Pradesh branch), he stays connected to the pulse of his field, always learning, always growing.
You might also catch him at the Mind and Brain Clinic in Mahanagar, where he consults at Thakurganj Chauraha, or find him online through platforms like Lybrate, making mental health care accessible even in a digital age. For those in Lucknow, his number—(0522) 2789200—is a lifeline, a way to book a session with a man who’s spent decades turning chaos into clarity.
Dr. Anil Kumar Agarwal isn’t just a psychiatrist; he’s a storyteller of the mind, a guide through its labyrinths, and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there’s a path back to light.
Dr. Anil Kumar Agarwal is a distinguished psychiatrist based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. He holds an MBBS and an MD in Psychiatry from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Additionally, he has a Diploma in Psychological Medicine (D.P.M.). With extensive experience in the field, Dr. Agarwal has served as a Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at King George’s Medical College (KGMC), Lucknow, before transitioning to private practice. He is a respected member of the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry, Uttar Pradesh branch.
Dr. Agarwal specializes in the treatment of various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis, and issues related to grief, low confidence, and addiction (such as alcohol addiction). He is known for his compassionate approach, emphasizing patient-centered care. His services include adult psychiatric counseling, anger management, hypnotherapy, and behavioral therapy, among others.
He operates his private practice at Upasana Clinic, located at B-104/2, Nirala Nagar, Lucknow, beyond the Nirala Nagar Aliganj Flyover. The clinic is noted for its accessibility and comprehensive mental health services. Dr. Agarwal has also been associated with the Mind and Brain Clinic at Thakurganj Chauraha, Mahanagar, Lucknow, where he provides consultations for a range of psychiatric conditions.
Dr. Agarwal has contributed to the field through academic and clinical work, including publications like “Religion and Mental Health” in the Indian Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, reflecting his engagement with broader mental health discourse. His contact number for appointments is listed as (0522) 2789200, and he is available for online consultations through platforms like Lybrate.
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