Private ADHD Assessments and Treatment
in Brighton, London & Online

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects people of all ages. While it is often diagnosed in childhood, many individuals are not diagnosed until adulthood. Delayed diagnosis can lead to significant mental health challenges, as well as social and work-related difficulties.

Around 70% of people with ADHD also experience coexisting mental health conditions, which often improve with appropriate ADHD treatment.

ADHD affects an estimated 5–7% of children worldwide, with boys diagnosed about three times more often than girls. This difference may be due to underrecognition in girls and differing symptom profiles. ADHD is increasingly recognised in adults, with about 2.5% of adults in the United States diagnosed.

Symptoms of ADHD can vary widely and often present differently in each individual.

1. Inattention – Individuals with ADHD may struggle to sustain focus, organise tasks, follow through on instructions, and complete assignments. They are often easily distracted, forgetful in daily routines, and prone to losing things. Attention difficulties are especially noticeable during tasks that require mental effort.
   
   Despite the term “attention deficit,” the issue is more about dysregulation of attention. Alongside distractibility and inattention, many individuals experience hyperfocus, periods of intense concentration on a single task. While this can be beneficial, it can also lead to losing track of time, forgetting to eat, use the toilet, or complete other responsibilities. This is sometimes referred to as “time blindness.” In relationships, the shift between inattention and hyperfocus can be frustrating for partners.

2. Hyperactivity – Hyperactivity may manifest as constant restlessness, fidgeting, and difficulty sitting still. Individuals may seem “on the go” or behave as if driven by a motor, even in inappropriate settings. This can also apply to mental activity: many describe their thoughts as racing, chaotic, or overwhelming, like a bag of ping-pong balls, a tangled plate of spaghetti, or hundreds of browser tabs open at once. Although this mental busyness can foster creativity, it can also lead to distraction and difficulty maintaining focus. Quiet activities are often challenging.

3. Impulsivity – Impulsive behaviours can include acting without thinking, interrupting others, blurting out answers, or struggling to wait their turn. This can cause social difficulties and strain relationships. Impulsivity may also lead to risky behaviours such as substance misuse, gambling, overeating, or impulsive spending. Some individuals may experience more frequent accidents due to poor impulse control.

People with ADHD often report being especially sensitive to rejection and criticism, a phenomenon known as rejection sensitive dysphoria.

Mood dysregulation is also increasingly recognised as part of ADHD, although it is not currently considered a core diagnostic feature.

Predominantly Inattentive Presentation – Characterised mainly by inattentive symptoms, without significant hyperactive or impulsive behaviours.

Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation – Marked by hyperactive and impulsive symptoms, with little inattention.

Combined Presentation – involves a mixture of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.

ADHD is frequently associated with coexisting mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, and autism. In children, it may also be accompanied by oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder. These comorbid conditions can complicate the clinical picture and often require additional treatment and support.

Bipolar disorder can present with symptoms similar to ADHD, and misdiagnosis may occur. However, both conditions can also coexist as distinct but overlapping diagnoses.

Dyslexia and dyspraxia commonly occur alongside ADHD as well.

A GP referral is usually required to access an ADHD assessment. If you are having difficulty obtaining a referral, please inform the admin team for assistance. The initial assessment is a general psychiatric evaluation, conducted either face-to-face or via video.

ADHD diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation by a mental health professional, typically a consultant psychiatrist. Our consultants follow the same diagnostic protocols used in the NHS, and many also work within NHS services.

The assessment takes place over three steps, as outlined below:

Step 1

An initial consultation (up to 60 minutes for adults, up to 90 minutes for 16–17 year olds) with a consultant psychiatrist is conducted, preferably in person, though video appointments are also available. This includes a thorough review of symptoms, developmental and medical history, and behavioural observations. Medical history may determine if additional physical investigations (e.g. ECG or blood tests) are needed before prescribing.

A screening tool called the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) is often used. The aim is to assess the likelihood of ADHD and identify any other conditions that may need to be addressed first.

For individuals aged 16–17, a teacher and parent questionnaire (SNAP-IV) is required. Please bring school reports to this appointment.

Step 2

If ADHD appears likely, the next step is the DIVA-5 (Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults), a semi-structured diagnostic interview based on DSM-5 criteria. This 50-minute assessment is carried out by Brendon Faulknor, Therapeutic Nurse Consultant, or another trained specialist. It is available in person or via video. The results are reviewed by the consultant psychiatrist.

Please note: if you are using private medical insurance, the DIVA-5 assessment is not covered and must be paid for by the patient.

Step 3

If ADHD is formally diagnosed, a follow-up consultation (up to 30 minutes) is held with the same consultant psychiatrist to discuss the diagnosis and agree on a treatment plan. At Flint Healthcare, we prioritise continuity of care—your consultant will begin treatment and, once stabilised, care will be handed back to your GP under a shared care agreement.

Treatment for ADHD typically involves a multi-modal approach, combining medication, behavioural therapy, and lifestyle modifications.

Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine are commonly prescribed to improve focus, reduce hyperactivity, and manage impulsivity. Methylphenidate, a central nervous system stimulant, is frequently used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy. While its exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, it is believed to work by increasing levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) in the brain.

Stimulants act by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. They block the transporter proteins that normally return these neurotransmitters to the presynaptic neuron, increasing their concentration in the synaptic cleft and enhancing neurotransmission. They also stimulate the release of dopamine, further improving attention, focus, and impulse control.

Non-stimulant medications such as atomoxetine may also be used, especially where stimulants are not tolerated or effective. In some cases, medications for coexisting conditions, such as anxiety disorders or depression, may be prescribed alongside ADHD treatment.

If medication is started, further appointments with the consultant are required to determine the therapeutic dose, which must be maintained for 4 to 12 weeks, depending on the medication, before prescribing can be transferred to the GP under a shared care agreement. Typically, three or four follow-up appointments (each up to 30 minutes) are needed, though more may be required if sensitivities arise or higher doses or combinations are necessary.

During this stabilisation period, patients are responsible for the cost of medication, which must be paid directly to the pharmacy. Prescriptions issued outside scheduled appointments will incur an additional charge.

General practitioners (GPs) cannot initiate ADHD medications, but they are usually willing to continue prescribing once treatment is stabilised and a shared care agreement is in place. The consultant psychiatrist will write to the GP to request this. While most GPs are supportive, they are not obliged to take over prescribing, so it is helpful if the GP is “on board” from the start. This can be facilitated by an appropriate referral.

As part of the shared care arrangement, a consultant review (up to 30 minutes) is required six months after starting treatment, followed by annual reviews. Once prescribing is transferred to the GP, the cost of medication will fall under normal NHS prescription charges.

We have specialists available for psychological treatment and coaching related to ADHD. The usual recommendation is for 6 to 8 sessions. These are advised but not obligatory. Coaching, therapy, and social skills training, can help individuals with ADHD learn coping strategies, improve organizational skills, and enhance self-regulation.

In addition to medication and therapy, lifestyle modifications, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management techniques, are essential to support overall well-being and symptom management in individuals with ADHD. Work and educational support are all key aspects of managing ADHD effectively. The support of family and other relationships are also vital components of ADHD management.

Overall, the management of ADHD should be individualised to meet the unique needs of each person with ADHD and may require ongoing support from a multidisciplinary team of professionals. With proper diagnosis, treatment, and support, individuals with ADHD can lead successful and fulfilling lives and often people with ADHD recognise advantages to their way of thinking and experiencing the world.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects both children and adults. Once thought to be a childhood-only diagnosis, it is now widely recognised that ADHD symptoms can persist well into adulthood. In fact, many individuals are not diagnosed until their 20s, 30s or even later stages in life.

ADHD typically presents in one of three ways:

Inattentive type: difficulties sustaining attention, forgetfulness, disorganisation.

Hyperactive-impulsive type: restlessness, difficulty waiting, impulsive actions or speech.

Combined type: features of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity.

ADHD symptoms can lead to challenges across multiple aspects of life, such as education, employment, relationships and mental health. Many adults with ADHD report long-standing struggles with time management, emotional regulation or completing tasks, and they can often develop secondary conditions like anxiety, depression or low self-esteem.

Awareness of adult ADHD is steadily growing, and with it, increased demand for diagnostic services. Waiting times for assessments can sometimes exceed a year or more, however a private ADHD assessment offers faster access to experienced clinicians, personalised support and a structured care pathway without the delays of public systems.

• Timely access to ADHD assessments, often within a few weeks
• Clinician-led diagnostic interviews, grounded in gold-standard tools such as the DIVA 5.0 or ASRS
• In-depth clinical reporting, useful for workplace or academic accommodations
• A multidisciplinary perspective, with referral pathways for psychological therapy, coaching or medication management where appropriate.

Our ADHD services are suitable for:

• Adults seeking a first-time ADHD diagnosis or clarity after years of unmanaged symptoms
• Young people aged 16–17, especially those facing academic pressure or transitional life stages
• Individuals with overlapping or co-occurring conditions, such as anxiety, autism, or mood disorders
• Those seeking a second opinion or clearer diagnosis after inconclusive results elsewhere.

We welcome both self-referrals and GP referrals, and we work collaboratively with other healthcare providers when needed. If you’ve been waiting for an NHS diagnosis or have been told you don’t “quite meet the threshold,” our assessments may still provide the insight and support you’re looking for.

Your journey with Flint Healthcare typically includes:

Pre-Assessment Screening

Before your appointment, you may be asked to complete questionnaires to help guide our understanding of your current experiences and developmental history.

Clinical Interview & Assessment

During your assessment with a consultant psychiatrist, we explore symptoms, medical history, education and work performance, and relevant family context. We use validated tools and structured interviews to determine whether an ADHD diagnosis is appropriate.

Comprehensive Feedback & Report

If ADHD is diagnosed, you’ll receive a detailed clinical report that includes the diagnostic rationale and tailored recommendations for treatment, workplace adjustments, or academic support.

Post-Diagnostic Support

Depending on your needs, we can help coordinate follow-up care, including psychological therapy, ADHD coaching, and medication management. We work with trusted professionals both in-house and through our wider referral network.

It’s common for individuals with ADHD to also experience conditions like:

• Anxiety or depression
• Bipolar spectrum disorders
• Autism spectrum conditions
• Sleep disorders
• Substance misuse

Our team is trained to recognise and differentiate these complexities to ensure you receive a diagnosis that reflects your full experience, not just a label.

Our ADHD assessments are available at two private clinic locations:

Brighton: Serving Sussex and the South Coast, our Brighton clinic offers a calm, accessible setting for both in-person and online assessments.

London: Based centrally, our London clinic provides discreet, high-quality care in the capital.

Both locations also offer remote assessment options via secure video consultation, ensuring accessibility regardless of location.

Choosing a private ADHD assessment isn’t just about speeding up the process, it’s about taking ownership of your mental health journey. At Flint Healthcare, our approach is person-centred, meaning your experiences and goals shape the assessment and care you receive. We’re clinically rigorous, following NICE guidelines and using validated tools to ensure accuracy and credibility. Our process is holistic, looking beyond diagnosis to provide long-term strategies for support. Above all, it’s empowering you. Our goal is not just to help you manage ADHD, but to help you thrive.