Urgent recommendation needed for Private Psychiatrist/AHDH assessment for DC

[TechnoCoderMum]

Hi all,
DC(19 years old) going though a very rough time, need to consult a private psychiatrist urgently(tried NHS , very long wait times).

Several issues around eating disorders,depression, OCD, lack of engagement and motivation that has gradually become worse since start of lockdown , but has now spiraled to a worrying stage since the onset of university life a couple of months back.

He was not open to taking help all these years, we tried several times but failed to convince him. Now he wants help urgently, seeing how things are going out of control.

He has always been a high performing child, competitive and anxiety prone in equal measure. Joined a top university recently in his chosen subject.
We want to have a full psychiatric assessment as well one for ADHD(which he suspects he has, but wants it to be assessed).

We live in London, have insurance and also willing to pay privately if needed.

I called up Priory but their waiting time is 4-6 weeks minimum.

Anyone with any recommendations for a good psychiatrist or clinic in London(central or east/north east) where all these issues can be looked into? Looking for reliable and trustworthy practitioners(I am aware of the potential pitfalls of going via the private/insurance route).

Any help much appreciated.

Hi. Sorry to hear that your DC is having a very rough time. I would recommend Dr Wayne Kampers who operates out of Harley Street. You can easily find his details online. He has really helped my DD. Good luck.

Would recommend the ADHD Consultancy, Dr Helen Read, in London. www.adhdconsultancy.co.uk/

She assessed (and diagnosed) me, was a good experience and I felt very much heard and cared about. She has adhd herself, which helps the whole thing less alienating - plus if your DS wants to try medication, she can give honest recommendations from what herself and her kids have used, which is reassuring even though everyone ofc reacts differently.

Would also add, if you can't get an appointment quick enough (4-6 weeks is probably a fairly standard wait time), would he be open to trying therapy in the meantime? Assuming he's not already in therapy. Integrative psychotherapy has really helped me with what sounds like a similar profile.

Hello OP, I'm sorry to hear your son is struggling.
Try Dr Stephen Pereira. Whilst he is not may not be an ADHD specialist he is highly specialised in other areas and will certainly point you in the right direction.

Please google him. He saved my life when I was lost.

Thank you very much for all this information. I am so grateful to get some pointers in the right direction. It has been a very dark few days since he opened up finally and agreed to take help. He is intensely private and extremely stubborn , so this is the first time we got a glimpse of how deep the problems run and how much he has been suffering.I feel so worried and fearful, but there is a ray of hope that he has agreed to take help, and all we can do is to get him the right kind of help at the earliest.

Covid has caused private providers to have long waiting lists- I was told 6-9 months by the Priory and two other providers in June but DC was seen in August. However, most providers are only seeing people remotely so try all over the country and places come up when people cancel due to being seen by the NHS etc.

I used Psychiatry-UK and they do have a long waiting list due to Right to Choose being launched in England but I obsessively checked their booking system until I found a cancellation, so I only had to wait three weeks. The doctor was so good and I had such a positive experience I went back to them for an ASD assessment, which was also very positive.

Thank you everyone for the help offered.
I checked out all the leads here, finally managed to get an appointment with Dr. Wayne Kampers for 25th Jan. This is the earliest appointment I could get.

@MrsCat1 I sent you a PM regarding this.
Many thanks all.

Now praying that my DS gets the help that he needs and finds a path towards healing.

@TechnoCoderMum

I've sent you a pm.

I don't think you'll get quicker than 4-6 weeks for an appointment. We've been ringing around various places for our younger son. The best we found was 6 weeks. Many private waiting lists are closed or are quoting 6-9 months! I hope you get help for your DS soon.