Adult ADHD Treatment in London

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) or ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental condition influenced by genetic, biological, and psychological factors. While symptoms often begin in childhood, many adults only seek assessment later in life when responsibilities increase and difficulties become more apparent.

**Important note: Clients with a prior diagnosis should undergo a full assessment with one of the psychiatrists before continuing treatment or prescriptions.

Symptoms of Adult ADHD (see here for child)

Adult ADHD can present differently than in children. Common experiences include:

• Hyper focus. You may be very focused on a task, particularly if the task is consuming and enjoyable to you, but at the cost of overlooking other more important tasks.
• Impulsivity. Making decisions quickly without full consideration
• Emotional difficulty. Can make handling stress a challenge, and you might easily lose your temper.
• Hyperactivity. This can mean being constantly fidgety or restless, and you may require less sleep.
• Disorganisation. ADHD adults may easily lose things or forget important tasks.

These symptoms combined can make dealing with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder very difficult. If left unchecked, you can find yourself with a range of difficulties. This can include financial complications, problems at work, relationship problems, and physical or mental health issues.

There are three main types of ADHD diagnosis:
• Combined type: Inattention + hyperactivity
• Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive
• Predominantly inattentive

Psychiatrists use established diagnostic tools to provide thorough assessments and clear explanations, helping you understand your strengths and challenges.

Time to thrive despite adult ADHD?

Experienced ADHD psychiatrists, ADHD therapists and ADHD coaches help you learn the tools that can make a real difference to your career, relationships, and life in general. 

Call today on 0345 474 1724 or complete this enquiry form now.

How Clinicians Can Help

Psychiatrists Dr. Phil Ferreira-Lay and Dr. Naresh Buttan and Psychologists such as Dr Maria Daves, offer specialist ADHD assessments and ongoing support as part of their private practices. They are experienced in ADHD assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning, including consideration of co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression.

Typical ADHD Assessment & Treatment Process

A full ADHD assessment with a psychiatrist may include:
• Clinical history and background
• Standardised questionnaires (e.g., DSM-5, Wender Utah, ASRS, DIVA 5)
• Exploration of current life circumstances, work, relationships, and mental health
• Review of co-occurring conditions
• Optional input from family or close contacts

Following assessment, the psychiatrist may recommend:
• Psychological support or therapy (e.g., CBT or ADHD coaching)
• Medication, where clinically appropriate
• Regular follow-up and review within the psychiatrist’s independent practice

All recommendations, prescriptions, and ongoing treatment are managed by the individual psychiatrist, not Harley Therapy.

In some cases, the independent psychiatrist may advise that NHS or specialist services are more suitable.

ADHD Treatment Results

Feedback from patients about the positive effects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment: 

• "Less fidgety, less anxious. Much calmer in my head, much more serene!"
• "No anger bouts, able to deal with my son calmly."
• "I finished a number of boring jobs!"
• "I'm now back on the yellow brick road to getting my mojo back."
• "Now I am on treatment, the impact it has had on my life is unbelievable. Instead of existing, I feel like a man again, confident, calm, able, and motivated."

Dr Phil Ferreira-Lay -
Adult ADHD Psychiatrist, London

Dr Phil Ferreira-Lay, consultant psychiatrist and ADHD specialist, has over 23 years of experience providing holistic psychiatric and psychotherapeutic assessments to adults, and has been a consultant with the NHS for more than 10 years.

He has particular expertise in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, psychotherapy and neurodevelopmental disorders across the lifespan. His holistic approach to supporting others, based on his extensive experience, is founded on practical solutions, appropriate medication and psychological treatments. 

Dr Naresh Buttan -
General Adult and ADHD Psychiatrist, London

Dr Naresh Buttan has 22 years of medical experience, and has been working as a substantive consultant in the NHS for 14 years. He specialises in helping clients who have ADHD alongside other presenting issues such as anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. 

He has extensive experience with neurobiology, transcultural psychiatry, PTSD, epigenetics in schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorders, and a particular interest in neuropsychiatry and functional neurological disorders. Before coming to the UK Dr Buttan worked as consultant psychiatrist, deputy medical superintendent, and clinical director in Australia and in India.

Watch Dr Humphries explain what Adult ADHD is and how it can be treated.

An excerpt from an interview in 'Mentally Healthy' magazine:

According to one Harley Street doctor and psychiatrist, the UK is slowly catching up with the US in acknowledging that the illness does not go away with age and that ADHD brain changes do persist well into adulthood. Doctor Steve Humphries, a general psychiatrist at Harley Therapy, who has witnessed the increase in adult sufferers seeking treatment, said:

“I started to see a lot of people asking for treatment, particularly Americans who are more advanced in their awareness of the condition than we are in the UK currently [and] a recent audit shows that approximately 80% of adults with diagnostic symptoms of ADHD have a positive response or an extremely positive response to the current methods of treatment. People often learn how to manage their symptoms from childhood. But when they are stretched in higher education or highly skilled jobs, they find that their symptoms overwhelm them. It’s at this point that some people seek treatment for the first time, even though the condition may have been present since childhood.”

Humphries has worked with adult sufferers of ADHD for several years, and believes that today there is a “sizable case load” proving that the core symptoms can be significantly alleviated through a mixture of therapy and medication. (Source: https://www.mentalhealthy.co.uk/home/featured-articles/adult-adhd.html) 

Take the first steps today

If you would like to enquire or book with psychiatrist or psychologist for ADHD assessment or treatment, please complete the confidential enquiry form below or call us. 

Our support team will help facilitate contact with an appropriate clinician based on availability and expertise. All clinical decisions, appointments, and treatment plans are determined solely by the independent clinician. We look forward to helping you!