Blog

We have some exciting team news to start 2024. We are announcing two new appointments to our leadership team – starting with Nell Montgomery our new CEO. Nell – an executive coach, psychotherapist and former investment banker – has been […]

We are regularly inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to ensure that we are providing the best possible service to patients. We have always found the inspection process to be very helpful in assisting us to provide excellent care […]

September was Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and the P-UK team came up with some creative ideas to raise both awareness and money for the Alzheimer’s Society. Fuelled by team spirit, caffeine, snacks, and the occasional nap, 11 of P-UK’s employees joined […]

The 11th October is International ‘Coming Out Day’. ‘Coming out’ refers to telling people about your sexual orientation or gender identity. Coming out is a personal decision that is different for every single person and can be done in many […]

Tiny tips to help you get the sleep you need  Introduction A good night’s sleep is just as, if not more, important than a good diet and exercise regime. So, are you getting the recommended 7 and 9 hours of [...]

Did you know that today is Autistic Pride Day? Although June is most recognised for celebrating LGBTQIA+ Pride, this isn’t the only Pride celebration to be found in June. Have you heard of ‘Autistic Pride?’ What is Autistic Pride? Autistic […]

No matter how hard we try, it’s hard to stay gloomy or out-of-sorts when our favourite pet shuffles up to us, a dog runs up to greet us in the street, or even when a friend shares a cute pet […]

“Just popping to the toilet… ” For as long as I can recall, socialising had always been very hit-and-miss. I was hyperlexic and by the time I was two and a half years old I could read the paper. My […]

16th March 2023 is Disability Access Day, sponsored by Euan’s Guide. The purpose of Disabled Access Day is to celebrate accessibility and inclusion across the UK. With this in mind, we wanted to highlight some initiatives that can improve accessibility […]

The issue: long wait times between diagnosis and starting the titration process We want to update and reassure patients about changes to the titration service for our adult patients who are (or will be) receiving treatment for ADHD via the […]

Are you worried that you might be getting addicted to social media? You are not alone. It is estimated that over 210 million people worldwide suffer from some form of social media and/or internet addiction. [1] What starts as a […]

The 2023 theme for Children’s Mental Health Week is ‘Let’s Connect’. Whilst connecting is believed to be a given, the limit of our connection is often in the form of instructions to get dressed, encouraging the brushing of teeth and […]

Last week the UK marked Parent Mental Health Day, an awareness event that was introduced in 2022 by Stem4, a charity that supports young people to build positive mental health. The campaign theme for this year was #BuildFamilyResilience and focused […]

Psychiatry-UK cares deeply about delivering high-quality care to its patients, and about transparency and honesty in its practices. After receiving a patient complaint in August 2022, we were concerned to discover that a locum consultant psychiatrist (“the Consultant”) was undertaking […]

If you have read Part I of this article, you are hopefully feeling reassured that you are not alone. Loneliness is extremely prevalent and felt across all age groups. A US study found that as many as 80% of young […]

Whether we are young, elderly, or somewhere in the middle, loneliness is a feeling that we can all relate to.  But the way we experience it is very personal. It can be a fleeting feeling of distress, or a gnawing […]

Feeling nervous or anxious about meeting new people is common among many of us at some point in our lives, whether in a personal or professional context. Some of our worries may relate to a specific situation, such as public […]

The Movember movement is run by a charity that’s changing the face of men’s health, focusing on mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Here at P-UK staff have been getting involved by growing, styling, and rocking moustaches […]

If you have stopped to read this blog, it is likely that you are close to someone who you suspect has become, or is becoming, reliant on alcohol. You might be worried about a parent’s drinking, or about a sibling? […]

“Workplace bullying – in any form – is bad for business. It destroys teamwork, commitment, and morale.” – Tony Morgan, Former Chief Executive, The Industrial Society. No-one should have to suffer bullying, yet many people do. Studies show it’s a […]

As a recently diagnosed adult autistic person, I have had a good deal of time to reflect on the diagnostic process and what it really means to be autistic. This has involved a lot of research, finding and joining communities […]

Johnny, a 16-year-old male wrestler, was referred to our eating disorders clinic. When asked about the “typical” disordered eating behaviors for weight loss –including fasting, restricting, vomiting, or diuretics — he denied all of them. However, his parents reported that […]

One of the persistent and unhelpful myths around ADHD is that it is a disorder of young males. There are clear differences in the rates of diagnosis of ADHD between males and females in childhood, with as many as nine […]

Around 85% of the UK’s population are ‘neurotypical’ and the other 15% are known as ‘neurodivergent’. But what does this mean? Neurotypical defines individuals with behavioural traits and brain function that are regarded as ‘normal’ in society, whereas neurodivergent refers […]

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD for short, is a disorder in which the brain develops differently. This leads to issues with attention and/or hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Alongside these ‘core’ symptoms of ADHD exist a range of co-existing conditions which […]

Today marks the beginning of ADHD Awareness Month .. but what actually is ADHD? Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD for short, is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder in which the brain grows and works differently. The core symptoms of ADHD include […]

Are you struggling to get to sleep, or stay asleep? Do you feel refreshed the next morning, or are you yawning all day? If you’re feeling irritable and finding it hard to concentrate due to tiredness, you may have insomnia. […]

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) The core features are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The definition relies on a list of nine features of inattention and nine features of hyperactivity/Impulsivity. Prevalence rates are debatable. A very old London study showed that, with a […]

Medical research is identifying more and more ways people can help to prevent dementia, but can tackling stress have a positive impact?  The British Medical Journal’s Dementia UK report estimates that around 637,000 people in the UK have dementia. The […]

Mood disorders are a group of mental health issues that affect one’s emotional state. Amongst the mood disorders is bipolar disorder which, unlike depression, is a condition that causes intense shifts in a person’s mood, energy levels, thinking patterns, and […]

I wanted to talk about movement at your desk, and why it is so important.   I will start by talking about the scary statistics surrounding the effects of being seated for long periods of time (to put it all into […]

5% of the UK population are affected by Generalised Anxiety Disorder [1] – that’s 1 in 20 people! The likelihood is either you, or someone you know, has experienced, or is currently experiencing, anxiety. It can be distressing to see […]

With nutritionists and health experts warning of the dangers of eating too much processed food, many people are turning towards a whole food, plant-based diet.   Not surprisingly, the whole food movement has become big business, with the US-based supermarket chain […]

Cannabis plants and its extracts were used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The first documented use was in China 2500 BC. Despite this, political influences made it largely illegal (rapidly changing picture as you can now grow it in Thailand). […]

It’s that time of year again – the Summer Holidays. Many of us are planning to pack up and escape for a few days. For those with ADHD, planning a simple getaway can prove quite challenging. Here’s a list of […]

Sunday, 25th July is National Schizophrenia Awareness Day. So, what is schizophrenia? It’s a condition that alters the way your brain processes information. Your emotions, thoughts, behaviours, experiences and desires are altered by the condition, and this can result in […]

Impulsive speech can be a challenge for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A quick chat around the water cooler at work can result in office ostracisation from colleagues, making the work environment an onerous place to be. So, […]

There are many risk factors associated with memory loss, but is there really enough evidence to show a link between stress and dementia? While research is still ongoing around the world, there is a growing consensus that chronic stress could […]

Do you consider yourself to be a good listener? Could you recognise when someone is in need? Samaritans is challenging people across Britain and Ireland to become better listeners during its annual Talk To Us campaign. Throughout July, the charity […]

Your wellbeing is largely dictated by what makes you happy. Finding the leading sources of prosperity and contentment can be hugely important when tackling the struggles of everyday life, whether this be holding down jobs or dealing with the increasing […]

It’s been a tricky couple of years for many, with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating mental health issues across the entire country. We’ve all suffered, but men in particular have struggled to manage an increase in living costs, […]

Domestic abuse isn’t something that occupies a great deal of time in the headlines, in print or broadcast media. However, that doesn’t apply to the Depp vs Heard case. These are not criminal proceedings; each of them brought civil actions […]

Exercise is not just good for the heart, it can also play an important role in preventing dementia, depression and other mental health conditions. My name is Kam, and I set up 1st Step Rehab Fitness and Support to help […]

Do you care for someone? Carers Week 2022 is looking for people to share their stories as part of a campaign to make caring “visible, valued and supported”. Every year Carers Week aims to raise awareness of the vital contribution […]

Everyone knows that adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle can help prevent common diseases, but it also plays a big part in the risk of developing dementia. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 55 million people worldwide live […]

Searching for a reputable health or medical treatment provider? Look no further than the HLP-U online directory. Here at Psychiatry-UK LLP, we believe that finding the right treatment should not be down to trial and error. Nor should it be […]

If we’ve learnt anything from the last two years, it would likely be the fragility of our minds, and how major life changes or unexpected situations can sometimes send our mental wellbeing into a negative spiral. Suffering from mental health issues is […]

The sixth Maternal Mental Health Week will be celebrated in 2022. This week of awareness was inspired by the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership, which consisted of eleven individuals who have a lived experience of maternal mental illness. What is perinatal […]

‘In thy faint slumbers I by thee have watched, And heard thee murmur tales of iron wars, Speak terms of manage to thy bounding steed, Cry “Courage! To the field!” And thou hast talk’d Of sallies and retires, of trenches, […]

If there’s one thing COVID-19 has taught us, it’s that humans have a fundamental need to feel connected. Even the most introverted amongst us found ourselves yearning for a friendly face at the petrol pump, or a smile from a […]

The Mini-ACE is a medically recognised cognitive test for dementia patients. Find out more about the test and how it works… What is Mini-ACE? The term stands for Mini-Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination and is a medically recognised and accepted cognitive screening […]

Our world is an unequal one. Access to healthcare is not universal or guaranteed. COVID-19 underlined this.  A few, mainly developed countries, notably New Zealand and Iceland, responded quickly. They were well-equipped and funded, with the right systems in place. […]

It is a crying shame that a week dedicated to accepting autism is necessary. Surely, in this day and age, we should be accepting of everyone – irrespective of differences? The fact of the matter is that acceptance is needed […]

The NHS website provides an overview of how you can help someone with an eating disorder. The most important aspects to providing support are to be non-judgemental and open to listening. It is essential that professional help is sought as […]

The need to support young people and their mental health has never been more important than it is today. There are greater demands on our young people with the surge of unrealistic standards instilled through social media, as well as […]

Think back a few decades and you may recall Aunt Ivy, Grandma Olive and Mrs Grey from next door sitting around the kitchen table, cup of tea in hand, having a natter. They put the world to rights, exchanged recipes […]

Although I’d heard of gaming fundraisers, my initial interest in Macmillan’s Game Heroes fundraiser originally came about via social media. Macmillan had chosen to advertise on a space frequented both by gamers and, fortunately, by me, a CSR manager here […]

For nearly two years the thought of hugging a friend or relative, let alone a complete stranger, was unthinkable. COVID-19 thwarted the global network of willing and able huggers. Some stalwart huggers created ‘hugging suits’ out of shower curtains so […]

January can be a tough time for even the most cheery individual, with many of us feeling the January blues.  Today, Monday 17th January, is known as Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year, due to the end of festivities, […]

  The festive season is a time of relaxation and merriment and, for many, more than their fair share of alcohol. All the Christmas celebrations are a drinker’s paradise, from the free bar at the office party to the booze-frenzied […]

As humans, we fear the unknown. Inaccurate media portrayals of mental illness can add to the confusion, blurring the reality of what many individuals suffer with. On its website, the National Institute of Mental Health states: “Three out of 100 […]

In 1992, the United Nations declared December 3rd as the International Day of People with Disabilities. A day of celebration, acknowledging the rich diversity of disabled people throughout the world. The etymology of the word ‘disability’ can be traced back […]

  Grief is not just about dying in the physical form. It can be a change in relationship status, losing or retiring from a job, imprisonment, a diagnosis of a learning disability, or even a long-term mental or physical illness. […]

Anxiety disorders are common, with Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) “estimated to affect up to 5% of the UK population”. 1 Everyone experiences anxiety at different periods of their lives. Anxiety is part of the sympathetic nervous system and is a […]

The Bad, The Good and Positive Stress. Stress is bad for you, right?  It is ubiquitously nestled in the lives of people around us.  It is visible as you watch commuters running to catch the nearly-departing train, the parents and […]

The Oxford English Dictionary describes a ‘crux’ as ‘a particular point of difficulty’.1   An ‘ADHD Crux’ can also be described as the tipping point: the stage, juncture or instance when a realisation that ADHD may be responsible for difficulties and […]

What does the word ‘divergent’ mean? The dictionary defines it as ‘tending to be different or develop in different directions’.1 This can be said to be true for people with ADHD. They are recognised for their ‘Out of the Box’ […]

If you are of a ‘certain age’ you may recall the 1981 film, Time Bandits.1 ADHD is not part of the storyline. However, the title is suitable to describe how time feels for people with ADHD. On occasion it can, […]

OCD comes in many guises; however, when we hear the term OCD, we think of things like excessive handwashing or an exceptionally organised person. I always believed that the acronym stood for Obsessive Cleaning Disorder, presumably because of my association […]

Late for appointments, missed meetings, burnt offerings for dinner, emotional dysregulation, rejection sensitivity – do these words sound familiar? Almost every day there is an article, video or some form of imagery on social media in relation to Attention Deficit […]

This is a query that I’ve received quite frequently – in short, the answer is Yes of course! All assessments undertaken at Psychiatry UK comply with the NICE guidelines on the assessment of ADHD in Children & Adolescents (ref NICE […]

  During your assessment, your doctor may discuss whether medication would be appropriate to help you manage your ADHD symptoms. If you decide that you might find this beneficial, you will be referred to our Titration Service. Titration is the […]

Our ADHD service has proved to be exceptionally popular, with thousands of referrals received since “Right to Choose” was brought to our attention. In this time we have assessed over 10,000 people who have chosen Psychiatry-UK, but many more remain […]

We were recently inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and have been rated ‘Outstanding’ in ‘Caring’ and received an overall rating of ‘Good’. The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England. They make sure […]

So perhaps you have finally got that ADHD diagnosis – and you are taking the medication….. So what’s the problem now?  Here’s some very important news – ADHD is really likely to be affecting your relationship – and you need […]

  We had our 1000th patient book an online appointment with a consultant psychiatrist a few days ago. Over 600 people have paid to see one of our online psychiatrists in the last year – and we are now seeing […]

1. Feeling sad does not necessarily mean you have depression Sadness is such a normal emotion – and so very appropriate to many of the experiences that we all have. What would it be to never feel sad? We may […]

There should be no sugaring of the pill. The fact is that dementia and depression go hand in hand – it is depressing to get dementia. However, though there have been occasional headlines suggesting that those who suffer from clinical […]