Areas of Expertise
Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
I have extensive experience and keen interest in ADHD. Often, people with ADHD are highly intelligent but they have been misunderstood and perceived as lazy or not intelligent in their schools, workplaces or society. Many of them get expelled from schools or dismissed from their jobs and often have significant relationship problems.Sometimes people with ADHD are also misdiagnosed with personality disorders. These negative experiences can lead people with ADHD to develop low self-esteem, depression or anxiety, and substance use may become a form of self-medication. However, in my experience, once people with ADHD receive the right treatment and support, the difference can be life changing. I’ve seen many of my patients with ADHD achieve what they never thought possible, attaining postgraduate university qualifications, progressing in their career paths and developing and maintaining fulfilling relationships.
I carry out a comprehensive assessment with standardised questionnaires and a semi-structured clinical interview, in accordance with The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The assessment usually takes about two hours and explores the severity of symptoms and their impact on your life. Following an ADHD diagnosis, I help my patients to understand their new diagnosis, what it means for them, and listen to their concerns or fears. We then discuss the treatment strategy together, including medication and psychological therapies.
Anxiety disorders (Generalised Anxiety, Traumas, PTSD & OCD)
Although feelings of anxiety are common, anxiety can become a debilitating condition when symptoms are severe or untreated. Anxiety disorders significantly interfere with relationships, work, hobbies, and home life – but the good news is that they are treatable. I’ve helped many of my patients completely overcome their anxiety, and after receiving the right treatment and support many people become stronger and more resilient than ever before.
When treating symptoms of anxiety or trauma, I focus on therapeutic mentoring and coaching approaches that help you to build on your strengths. I will also provide you with medication options, if needed. My goal is to help you build your confidence, independence and resilience so that you no longer need therapy or medication, and you can get back to living your life fully again.
Psychosis, Schizophrenia and Complex Trauma/PTSD
I specialise in early intervention for psychosis, working with patients and their families to prevent symptoms progressing into a more serious, long-term illness. I’ve worked with hundreds of patients in my years of clinical practice, ranging from people who have experienced a first episode of psychosis to patients who’ve become resistant or unresponsive to treatments. I also specialise in helping people experiencing psychosis-like symptoms as a result of a traumatic event (complex PTSD).
I’ve witnessed how the right intervention can dramatically improve outcomes and change a patient’s life trajectory, helping them to continue with their career path, relationships, and maintain their independence. As a psychiatrist, I don’t believe in making decisions on behalf of my patients. I believe that a patient’s voices should always be listened to and respected, as I want us to work collaboratively as a team, along with their families, partners or carers.
My approach to mental health
I believe in treating my patients as I’d like my family to be treated, with respect, dignity and the highest standard of care. While making a diagnosis can often be useful, my goal for an assessment is to identify your strengths and areas of need. This will include understanding the nature of any problem or symptoms, the impact on your day-to-day life and the effect on your relationships, work or school, and home life. I believe it’s crucial to understand what approaches you’ve tried for managing the symptoms or illness, so that I have a better understanding of what is working and what hasn’t helped. By starting with your current strategies and coping skills, this will allow us to build on your strengths, which is a crucial part of the recovery process.
Personalised treatment plans
When developing your personalised treatment plan, my goal is to help you as a person rather than a patient, so that you can achieve your full potential. I use a combined approach that involves a comprehensive clinical assessment and history, psychoeducation for the patient and family members, partners or carers, different forms of therapy and medication to reduce the burden of symptoms (if needed). Therapy may involve CBT approaches, family therapy or psychotherapy, and may involve working as a team with other specialists such as psychologists, coaches, or nutritionists. I also take into account your lifestyle and include recommendations for improving physical health, fitness, sleep, nutrition and a stable routine. In this way we can identify and address the root cause of any issues, rather than just treating the symptoms or condition.
My approach to medication
I believe that the decision to take medication needs to be considered very carefully. I always give my patients a choice and explain the benefits and any side effects associated with medication and adjust dosages according to how they respond. Medication should provide effective relief from symptoms without causing additional problems, which is why I always carefully weigh the risks and benefits before providing my recommendations. I follow The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on the use of medications. I would aim to reduce medication as soon as possible and when safe to do so.
Training and education
I’ve been working as a Consultant Psychiatrist with the NHS since 2003 helping patients with all types of complex mental health conditions. Currently, I work part-time as the Clinical Consultant and Honorary CBT Therapist for an NHS Early Intervention in Psychosis service, as well as seeing patients in private practice. I’m registered as a General Adult Psychiatry specialist by the General Medical Council (GMC, UK) and am a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK.
I completed my psychiatry training in 2000 from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, India. I then worked as a senior registrar, and later as a consultant psychiatrist in Melbourne, Australia, before moving to the UK in 2003. I also hold a postgraduate diploma in Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for psychosis and bipolar disorder from the University of Oxford.
As part of my clinical research interest, I’m currently the Principal investigator on a clinical study at University College London, investigating how to safely reduce antipsychotic medication dosages for people with psychosis and schizophrenia. Previously, I’ve been the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator or Collaborator on several academic research studies investigating autoimmune antibodies in psychosis, the safe discontinuation of antipsychotics, early symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), among others.
As part of my non-clinical work, I’m a Medical Member of First Tier for the Mental Health Tribunal, which helps me to keep abreast with changes in mental health laws and ensure that patients are not detained unlawfully. I work as an appraiser for medical doctors at North East London NHS Foundation Trust as a locum doctor. I also provide medico-legal reports for the Family and Criminal courts, independent organisations, clients, and solicitors.
I hold the following qualifications:
- Medical Degree (MBBS)
- Diploma in Psychological Medicine
- Membership of Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych)
- Diplomate in National Board-Psychiatry
- Postgraduate Diploma in Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Psychosis & Bipolar)
Personal Interests
I’m passionate about personal fitness and particularly enjoy long walks in the country and hiking. I am passionate about helping people make progress in their career or professional journey, to realise true potential and provide mentoring and coaching to other doctors.
