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)
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are very satisfying to diagnoses and treat as the positive results are seen very quickly and can be life transforming. Rather than being ‘mental illnesses’ they are more neurodevelopmental conditions and are present from early childhood and remain throughout adult life. There is an overlap with other conditions associated with neuroatypicality Such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, OCD. The question is often asked if there is an increase in the number of people with ADHD these days. It is not clear whether there is an actual increase but it was not a condition that was even considered for children prior to around 30 years ago and it is probable that those children you remember from school who never seemed to be able to pay attention or do their homework who may have been labelled as disinterested or naughty most probably had undiagnosed ADHD.
What We Need
From You
ADHD Assessments need a general assessment first but both may be done together in an extended assessment in 90 minutes if a number of required additional bits are completed and sent back to us prior to your assessment.
We require the following additional pieces of information from you:
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An email sent from a parent to you confirming any signs or symptoms suggesting overactivity when you were a child before the age of 12
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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
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ASRS Questionnaire completed and sent back to us (can provide a hyperlink to ASRS questionnaire)
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DIVA Questionnaire comppeted dan sent back to us (can provide a hyperlink to latest version of DIVA questionnaire)
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Physical Health Baseline Meaurements:
- Pulse
- Blood Pressure
- Weight (kg)
How We Treat ADHD
At Psyche Clinic, we primarily treat ADHD with medication, which is generally more effective than talking therapies—particularly for adults. 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), Guanfacine, 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.