Areas of expertise
ADHD
I have been working as a Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist for over 16 years, and more recently specialised in diagnosing and treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Since 2020, I have worked as the Lead Clinician for an NHS Adult ADHD Service. When treating ADHD, I use a range of personalised approaches, including self-help strategies, psychological education, and medication.
Do you think you have ADHD? Maybe you have noticed problems with your concentration, or emotional regulation throughout your life. Perhaps there are things that got in the way with school or work, with friends, or with your relationships. You may have even thought to yourself, why can’t I easily get on with everyday life like other people do? If you have ADHD, these feelings are completely normal. Managing emotions can feel like an overwhelmingly difficult task.
You may be certain at this point that you have ADHD and you want to explore this further with someone who is able to say ‘yes’ this is definitely ADHD, or no, this is something else. Some people may have had multiple diagnoses in the past but their diagnosis doesn’t really fit or make sense. It may be that exploring neurodiversity could help. Autism, ADHD or a combination of both could be the outcome. Sometimes symptoms of autism and ADHD can overlap.
If during the ADHD assessment you are also wondering about autism, or if I pick up things along the way that have made me think that maybe you are also on the autism spectrum we will discuss this. Together we will approach and treat the ADHD first and see how you are before reviewing in a few months to see if an autism assessment would make sense for you.
Autism
I have a special interest in the assessment of Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) in adults. I worked with the Mental Health Crisis team within the NHS for 13 years and I saw many adults with undiagnosed autism presenting to the clinic. By specialising in both ADHD and autism, I can identify and differentiate the two conditions through my assessments.
If you’re an adult with undiagnosed autism, screening tools may not pick up on your autistic symptoms because you have done well to hide any difficulties or struggles you may have been dealing with since you were a child.
Perhaps you think you have relationship difficulties, but really the difficulty that you face is that you can’t quite understand things in the way that is expected of you. This can then cause problems in your relationships with others. Or maybe you have family members with autism and you want to explore neurodiversity further. The only way to determine for certain if you have autism is through a full and detailed assessment.
Autism Diagnosis Follow-Up Care
Receiving an autism diagnosis can bring mixed emotions, including relief for finally understanding the reasons behind your long-standing feelings and a sense of overwhelm as to what comes next. Are you struggling with your new diagnosis and unsure how the pieces of your life fit together? Or maybe you have a treatment plan but you just can’t make it work. I'm here to help you navigate your path forward.
My role is to listen to your concerns, provide you with education about autism, and answer any questions you have. Together, we'll focus on the aspects that matter most to you, empowering you to move forward in a positive and meaningful way.
My approach to treatment
I understand that seeking an assessment for ADHD or autism is a huge step and it may feel like an overwhelming task. It may have taken you years of struggle and feeling different to get to the point where you ask for help. I am here to give you the opportunity to explore all of your thoughts and experiences with someone who understands how you may be feeling. We will take our time to explore each area together so that you feel supported every step along the way. This in itself may be therapeutic for you.
Many people don’t realise that both ADHD and autism assessments are very specific. For example, in order to give a diagnosis of ADHD, it has to be clear that there are no other mental health conditions present that could better explain the symptoms you are dealing with. Many people are unaware of how detailed the assessment is and understanding your full history is an extremely important part of the process.
During the first assessment, I will review all of your symptoms, and then take a full psychiatric and medical history from you. During this time, I will get to know you and be able to better understand your past experiences and your current needs. This can take a few hours but overall it is important to cover all of the bases so that together we can create a personalised treatment plan that will support you and that you are happy to follow.
Personalised treatment plans
Following the assessment, I will have a good understanding of what you need based on the assessment outcome. We will have a conversation about your diagnosis, and together, we will formulate the most suitable personalised treatment plan that aligns with your goals. We will also consider your responsibilities, lifestyle, and commitments to make sure that your treatment plan is as tailored to you as much as possible.
For some people, perhaps there is no diagnosis of ADHD or autism. If this is the case, as a psychiatrist, I will still provide you with a clear understanding of your situation. We can then concentrate on your unique traits or challenges and create a customised treatment plan. I will answer any questions you have about your diagnosis to make sure you fully understand your symptoms. Alongside my support, I may also suggest collaborating with other specialists within the London Psychiatry Clinic who can assist in managing your condition such as a therapist, psychologist, or dietitian.
Throughout the process of developing your treatment plan, I will also guide you in considering lifestyle interventions that can benefit your recovery. If you have an ADHD diagnosis, I might recommend incorporating exercise or yoga into your daily routine, while for autism I might suggest a structured daily schedule that would be beneficial for your well-being. Together we will agree on the best plan to support you.
Medication
I believe that there is a role for medication in the treatment of ADHD. I will always discuss medication with you if I think it could be helpful. I will make sure you understand what medications are available to you, their benefits and potential side effects, as well as the recommended dosage and prescribed duration. I will answer any questions you have on the medications making sure that you are fully informed before you make your decision.
There is no medication for autism, but medication can be useful in the treatment of other disorders that commonly occur with autism. Again if I feel it would be beneficial for you, I will discuss these medications with you so that you can choose to use them if you feel it is necessary. For all recommendations, I make sure to follow the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. If and when it is safe to do so, my goal is to reduce medications where possible.
Education & Training
Currently, I’m a Consultant Psychiatrist at the London Psychiatry Clinic and Lead Clinician at Central and North West London Adult ADHD Service. I’m registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych). I completed my medical degree at University College London and my specialist psychiatric training through the St Mary’s scheme in London.
Alongside my clinical work, I have always enjoyed teaching; medical students, junior doctors and the multidisciplinary team. This is an important part of my work. I currently provide training on ADHD within the NHS Trust. I am a Lecturer for Imperial College’s Medical School ‘Introduction to Psychiatry Programme’ for which I have created lectures using popular films to teach students about the mental state. I am also an Ethics tutor to medical students. I enjoy this work as it inspires me to continue making a positive impact in people’s lives.
Personal interests
I enjoy hiking and reading. I also spend time watching films, particularly those that have a mental health underpinning, and in my spare time, I make sure to stay up to date on topical medical issues.
