If you or someone close to you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or have taken an overdose, you should contact emergency services on 999 and/or attend the nearest A&E department you can also call NHS on 111 for non-emergencies.
If you or a loved one has a mental health emergency, we will do our best to help you by arranging an urgent appointment with a Psychiatrist who can help you manage the situation. All of our Psychiatrists have extensive experience in helping people through mental health emergencies.
Mental health emergencies are outside of your control so you should never feel guilty, embarrassed or ashamed of asking for help. No matter what your problem is we will treat you with dignity and respect, ensuring a safe, confidential and empathetic environment to talk about any problems.
Mental health emergencies can occur at any time of the day or night. Sometimes there is a trigger (for example, an argument with your partner). However, sometimes they happen out of the blue, similar to panic attacks.
A mental health emergency can take the form of a crisis, an emotional breakdown or a period of feeling suicidal. It is extremely important to reach out to a family member, a trusted friend or a professional if this occurs. Or if you start to notice any warning signs, reaching out before it happens could mean avoiding the emergency altogether.
If you are worried about a relative or someone close to you, then you might be better at noticing the warning signs than they are. If you start to notice anything unusual or strange about their behaviour, you can reach out to us for advice. It is possible to book an appointment with a Psychiatrist to discuss concerns about a relative or a loved one. In these cases, all the information is confidential, and you do not need to provide us with the details of this person. In these cases, we will help you understand the situation and will suggest ways to deal with it.
You can ring us on 020 34 888 555 to speak to a member of our team. Our lines are open Monday-Friday 8am to 10pm.
If we think you would benefit from seeing one of our Psychiatrists, we will arrange an urgent appointment for you. Following the emergency psychiatry assessment, the Psychiatrist will be able to admit you if appropriate, or may offer other treatment options.
If the Psychiatrist thinks that you may require an admission into a psychiatric hospital, they will discuss this with you. Some of our Psychiatrists have admitting rights to the Nightingale Hospital and we can generally arrange this within 24 hours, depending on the availability of beds. If you prefer to be admitted to a different hospital (such as the Cardinal Clinic or one of the priory Hospitals, for example), we can help you connect with them.
In very extreme circumstances, a doctor may decide that their patient requires sectioning. This simply means that they will make a decision on your behalf to commit you to an NHS facility to help you, such as a psychiatric hospital. Both a NHS Psychiatrist as well as a private Psychiatrist can section a patient.
If a Psychiatrist, GP or family member has serious concerns about somebody’s mental health, they need to contact the local, Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) who will arrange for a Mental Health Act Assessment.
A Mental Health Act Assessment is a meeting where the approved mental health professional (often a social worker or a mental health nurse) will carry out an assessment of the individual, together with one or two Psychiatrists. The purpose of the assessment is to understand whether the individual is suffering from a mental health condition that would put them at risk of harming themself or someone else. They also consider whether or not their mental health problems will get significantly worse if they don’t receive urgent mental health care and treatment urgently.
After the assessment, the Psychiatrist will provide a recommendation to the Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) as to whether they think the individual should be admitted to hospital and sectioned under the Mental Health Act. The final decision to section a person will be made by the approved mental health professional as per the Mental Health Act. Generally, most people are admitted to hospital under a Section 2.
It is very important to understand that a person will only be admitted to hospital involuntarily, using the powers of the Mental Health Act if the AMHP is seriously concerned following the assessment. Both the AMHP and the Psychiatrist will endeavour to discuss every alternative option, engaging with the home treatment team.
Once a person is made aware that they may be sectioned, they have the opportunity to be admitted voluntarily. Please bear in mind that you will not be sectioned unless you are extremely, mentally unwell to the extent that you can’t make rational and safe decisions for yourself.
Sectioning is done as a safety measure to protect someone from harming themselves or others. Under the Mental Health Act 1983, a psychiatrist has the capacity to section their patient if they have completed the requisite training. There are different types of sectioning, depending on the specific situation and the severity of the symptoms.
A welfare check, also known as a wellness check, is when a member of the police goes to an individual’s home to check on their wellbeing.
If you, or someone you love, is having a mental health emergency then a welfare check may be a safe and responsible way to escalate it.
Before contacting the police to request a welfare check, you will need to be confident that the person you are concerned about is definitely acting in a way that worries you and that they may be in need of urgent help. For example, if you believe somebody may have taken an overdose of medication.
If the individual you requested a welfare check for is found safe and well, then the police may choose to notify you and no further action will be taken.
If the police arrive to perform their welfare check and discover a need for urgent medical assistance then they will ring 999 if an ambulance is needed, and you will likely be notified and may be asked to provide further input or support.
Panic attacks can be frightening or overwhelming. Each person’s panic attacks will be uniquely triggered by their own particular fears. For example, some people may experience panic attacks as a result of being in a big crowd of people, while others may have a panic attack because they’re afraid of being alone.
A panic attack is simply an exaggerated fear response. When the body perceives a threat a message is sent to the brain. When people experience a frightening situation, such as a panic attack, they will experience a reaction called the Flight-Fight-Freeze” response. This means that humans have evolved to either take flight and escape the frightening situation, fight off the oncoming threat or freeze into inaction. When someone has a panic attack, they don’t usually feel like they can escape or fight the panic attacks so the most common reaction is usually the ‘freeze’ response. This is why some people may feel unable to think, speak or even move appropriately when they have a panic attack.
While the emotional and physical experience of a panic attack can be deeply unsettling, it’s important to know that panic attacks are common and can be treated.
If you think you might be experiencing a panic attack, it is important that you speak to a friend or someone you trust to explain what is happening.
If you’re certain that you’re having a panic attack, there are several strategies that could help to reduce some of the immediate symptoms. However, we always recommend consulting your GP, doctor or therapist to let them know that you’re struggling with panic attacks.
Although a heart attack is very different from a panic attack, when a panic attack strikes it can sometimes be confused for a heart attack. If in doubt, contact emergency services who can discuss your symptoms with you over the phone and send an ambulance if needed.
Here are some of the key differences to look out for:
In general, an anxiety attack is less intense than a panic attack. It might also last longer than a panic attack, with feelings of anxiety creeping up slowly and is usually caused by an anxiety-inducing event or situation.
In contrast, a panic attack is usually accompanied by very strong feelings of fear and a sense of unreality, which can arrive as a burst of intense emotion in the body. Panic attack symptoms typically disappear within half an hour (but not always). Panic attacks can seem random and without obvious triggers, whereas an anxiety attack is usually prompted by a perceived stressor or threat.
An anxiety attack can cause the individual to feel extremely uncomfortable or distressed, but to a lesser degree and is overall more manageable in the moment that it occurs.
A mental breakdown, also called a nervous breakdown, is a term used to describe severe emotional distress and anguish. It is a blanket term used when someone’s emotional difficulties are inhibiting their ability to function in normal life.
A mental breakdown can be caused by many things, we usually see them as a product of severe anxiety, depression or burnout.
Mania is a period of excessively high mood or energy, usually associated with Bipolar Disorder. Mania can last for days, weeks or months.
During a manic episode the individual experiencing it is unlikely to recognise that there is a problem, even if those around them are trying to convince them. This often makes it very difficult to help the person. Even people who have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and have experienced manic episodes in the past may not be able to recognise the symptoms of mania when they experience another episode.
Generally, mania is followed by a period of depression and so it is important to treat it as a way to mitigate the potential consequences of the manic episode and reduce the risk or intensity of the depression if it happens.
Hypomania can also occur, which is a lesser degree of mania but with a similar rise in energy and mood. This is generally seen more commonly in Bipolar II Disorder.
“Psychotic” is a term often used in a derogatory, colloquial fashion. We may have heard people say “they are a total psycho” or “when they found out, they turned psychotic.” The film ‘American Psycho’ does little to remedy our prejudices about psychopathology, depicting a bloodlusting killer driven by delusional thinking.
In reality, a psychotic person is far more likely to hurt themselves than they are to hurt someone else. Psychotic episodes and psychoses are a highly distressing, disorienting experience for the individual and they are in no way indicative of a personal failing on the sufferer’s part.
This makes it even more important that you support this person as best you can and seek appropriate help if you believe they are displaying any symptoms of psychosis.
A psychotic episode is where a person cannot tell what is imagined and what is real, which makes determining whether you are having a psychotic episode very difficult.
Psychosis does not usually appear without warning, it is usually caused by a specific mental health condition, drug overdose or an extremely traumatic situation or experience.
There are a few warning signs that someone could be experiencing an episode of psychosis, but only a trained mental health professional can accurately assess whether someone is having a psychotic episode.
Alexandra Madureira
I’m a Clinical Psychologist who thinks outside the box. I have a creative and passionate approach that focuses on healing emotions while also considering life situations and neurobiological mechanisms.
I believe feeling safe is a prerequisite for change and therefore I focus on making people feel comfortable, so they can gain the courage to face and break unhelpful psychological patterns.
Please contact us for more information
Dr Ana Tsakiri
My Trauma-informed practice and holistic therapeutic approach aims to support children during periods of acute crisis but also help them with long standing emotional and behavioural difficulties. I work with families to understand how adversity and trauma has impacted a child’s world causing emotional and mental health difficulties as well as physical symptoms. I am also a Consultant Psychiatrist specialised in Interventional Psychiatry with TMS therapy for young people with resistant emotional difficulties and severe depression.
The aim is always for your child to overcome the negative influence of the experience, redefine how they feel and rebuild their confidence
Dr Jonathan Garabette
I always try to focus on understanding you as a whole person and how any symptoms, problems and diagnoses affect you, your life and what is important to you.
Lynn Gruwez
I’m a Clinical Psychologist with experience across a range of mental health conditions. My goal as a therapist is to see each person as someone unique and human. I seek to understand in depth the nature of any mental health symptoms so that I can flexibly and creatively adapt therapy to suit your circumstances.
I believe in a holistic, non-judgemental approach where clients have the space and freedom to share their fears without constraint. I have a strong interest and passion for Mindfulness.
Please contact us for more information
Dr Triveni Joshi
I am a Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry with over 15 years clinical experience. I treat a wide variety of mental health and emotional conditions with an emphasis on holistic treatment and working with parents/carers.
I love to work with children. I wholeheartedly believe that early intervention is one of the best ways to successfully manage long term mental health problems.
Dr Regina Sala
I am a caring and approachable medical doctor specializing in cognitive, behavioural and emotional well-being in children, adolescents, adults and their families. My ethos is to offer excellence of care based on evidence-based research with respect and compassion.
I see my patients as human beings and aim to foster a sincere and relaxed environment so that we can build trust during our sessions. I believe in a positive body-mind integration with neuroscience’s principles to empower self-awareness, resilience and personal growth
Dr Maria M. Herves
I am a General Psychiatrist with great interest in childhood and adolescence psychiatry. I have been working specifically in this field over the last 10 years. I believe that supporting mental health at early stages in life can prevent it from developing further into more persistent difficulties in adulthood.
I regard the patient as the product, not the problem. They are a result of their environmental, genetic and social influences, all of which can be addressed and supported with professional help.
Dr Iyas Assalman
I am a Consultant Psychiatrist specialised in General Adult Psychiatry. I treat a wide variety of mental health and emotional conditions and I have an expertise in treating Adults with ADHD.
Rather than seeing you as a diagnosis or trying to change your personality, I want to understand my patients as a whole person.
Dr Luis Alameda
I am a General Adult Psychiatrist and a Neuroscience Researcher. I specialise in severe mental conditions including trauma. I offer an individualised intervention integrating psychotherapy and medical approaches.
I believe that difficulties in managing mental health are a normal part of life and far more common than you might think. They present an opportunity to understand the problem, become more self-aware and progress on your journey.
Dr Lara Lavadiño
I am a General Adult Psychiatrist specialised in Adult, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I have specialist expertise in managing complex and long term conditions. I am an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) certified psychotherapist also integrating Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Systemic Therapy and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy principles.
I believe in a positive psychiatry approach, empowering both children and adults to overcome any difficulties by providing education and support on their condition, along with a holistic and personalised treatment plan.
Dr Srinvas Lanka
I am a Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in Adult Psychiatry and Neuropsychiatry. I treat a wide variety of mental health and emotional conditions and have specialist expertise in managing complex and long term conditions.
I try to understand your treatment goals, values, limitations and preferences, so we can personalise your treatment using the best approach that gives you sustained recovery.
Dr Jonathan Garabette
I am a Psychiatrist specialising in General Psychiatry and Medical Psychotherapy.
I treat most mental health difficulties and offer a range of approaches including medication, psychological therapies and lifestyle modification.
I always try to focus on understanding you as a whole person and how any symptoms, problems and diagnoses affect you, your life and what is important to you.
Dr Nagore Benito
I am a General Adult Psychiatrist with extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of most mental health conditions. I offer a person-centered and holistic approach.
The best six doctors anywhere, and no one can deny it are sunshine, water, rest, and air, exercise and diet. These six will gladly you attend If only you are willing Your mind they’ll ease Your will they’ll mend And charge you not a shilling
– Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990
Dr Alberto Pertusa
I have a strong interest in behaviour modification, lifestyle optimisation and the use of self-quantification as a way to foster wellbeing and increase performance.
I always strive to provide the highest standards of care to all my patients.
I endeavour to offer personalised and bespoke treatment in order to meet your specific needs
