Psychiatry at Psyche Clinic
Expert, discreet psychiatric care tailored to your unique needs
At Psyche Clinic, we offer comprehensive psychiatric services led by some of the UK’s most experienced and highly qualified psychiatrists. Based on prestigious Harley Street in London, our clinic provides a discreet and supportive environment for individuals seeking professional help with a wide range of mental health conditions.
10 Harley St
London W1G 9PF, UK
Attention Defecit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
There is increasing awareness now of both Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In the past there was some scepticism about the existence of these condictions but these are now firmly established and recognised conditions that are neurodevelopment in that they are part of our brain’s ’hardware’ and remain throughout life from childhood rather than being mental illnesses which arise at different points in our life and may be cured with appropriate treatment.
ADHD / ADD may exist with other ‘neurodivergent’ conditions such as Dyslexia, Austistic Spectum (ASD) or some forms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders or may just exist on its own.
Typically a person with ADHD/ADD finds it very hard to focus in school, college or work meetings, with a tendency to ‘zone out’ or daydream. They may typically struggle to tolerate waiting in queues or traffic jams and often leave tasks till the last minute to complete if they complete them at all.
Procrastination is a common feature where even minor decisions are deliberated upon endlessness with the result that no action is taken at all or is very late.
People with Attention Deficit may or may not also have hyperactivity where sitting still is a challenge and they feel they must move around frequently.
People with ADHD/ADD brains may go through life not realising they have it. Some have had their children diagnosed and realise that they probably have it themselves.
ADHD is extremely rewarding to treat as the treatment effect is more or less immediate upon trialling treatment and most patients report that the effects are life changing in that they are more focussed, more productive and more efficient in their day to day life.
What We Need
From You
ADHD Assessments need a general psychiatric assessment first (up to one hour) but both may be done together in an extended assessment in 90 minutes if a number of required additional tequired components are completed and sent back to us prior to your assessment.
We require the following additional pieces of information from you:
-
An email sent from a parent or family member who has known you since childhood confirming any signs or symptoms suggesting struggles with attention or overactivity when you were a child before the age of 12
-
An email from a parent to you giving details of any school reports then remember making reference to anything suggestive of either poor attention or over activity. Eg whether comments made about not paying attention, struggle to complete tasks, talkative and disruptive in lessons, difficulty in completing coursework or homework
-
ASRS Questionnaire completed and sent back to us (can provide a hyperlink to ASRS questionnaire)
-
DIVA Questionnaire comppeted dan sent back to us (can provide a hyperlink to latest version of DIVA questionnaire)
-
Physical Health Baseline Meaurements:
- Pulse
- Blood Pressure
- Weight (kg)
How We Treat ADHD
As ADHD / ADD are hardware wiring problems in the brain from its early development it is something for which the primary treatment is medication unlike some emotional / mental illnesses which may respond to talking therapies without medication.
Medications are divided into two types: stimulant and non-stimulant. Non-stimulant medications must be taken every day. While they are well tolerated, they tend to be milder in effect compared to stimulants and may have a similar pharmacology to certain antidepressants. These can be a good option for individuals with very mild ADHD symptoms or for those who cannot take stimulants due to other medical conditions.
Common non-stimulants include Atomoxetine (Strattera),, and Bupropion.
Stimulant medications are considered the first-line treatment and are typically the most effective option. These medications are amphetamine derivatives and work by producing a paradoxical calming effect in individuals with ADHD. For those without ADHD, stimulant medications have no therapeutic effect. In the UK, the two main types of stimulants prescribed are Methylphenidate and Dexamfetamine, both available in short- and long-acting formulations. For adults, we usually aim for a long-acting, once-daily medication taken in the morning, which provides symptom control throughout the day and gradually wears off in the evening without interfering with sleep. Examples include long-acting Methylphenidate preparations such as Concerta XL, Xenidate XL, and Xaggitin XL, and Lisdexamfetamine, commonly known as Elvanse.
For patients who have moved to the UK from the United States and were previously prescribed Adderall (which is not available in the UK), we generally recommend transitioning to Lisdexamfetamine as a suitable alternative.
Once a long-acting stimulant has been selected, we conduct a trial period with different doses to find the optimal maintenance dose. After this, a longer-term trial helps determine its ongoing effectiveness. Unlike non-stimulant medications, stimulant medications do not need to be taken daily. They can be used on an as-needed basis—some patients take them only on weekdays for work or study, taking breaks on weekends or holidays. We encourage occasional breaks to help prevent the development of tolerance and reduce the likelihood of requiring higher doses over time.
As ADHD is a long-term condition, it is recognised as a disability under the UK Equality Act. Before a formal diagnosis is made or during the treatment optimisation phase, we can provide support letters that outline the challenges a person faces due to their symptoms. These can be helpful for securing reasonable adjustments in workplaces, universities, or other educational settings.
Your Next Step
Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. If from reading the sections above you think you may benefit from an ADHD assessment (or if you have a child or first degree relative who already has a diagnosis of ADHD) then book in for a specialist assessment.
Current NHS ADHD Clinics have waiting lists of up to many years but we can see you quickly and provide a definitive diagnosis and formulate an appropriate treatment plan with you.