Paul Loughlin: Consultant Psychiatrist, Maidenhead, Berkshire

 

Dr Loughlin M.B., B.S., M RC Psych, is a Consultant Psychiatrist who sees patients, from the age of 18 upwards, with a wide range of mental health problems. He aims to offer people rapid access to psychiatric diagnosis and if necessary facilitate swift referral onwards to the most appropriate psychological therapies, day-care or in-patient facilities within the London and Berkshire area.

He is fully registered with the General Medical Council and holds specialist status in General Adult and Old Age Psychiatry. After graduating from St Bartholomew’s Hospital London, in 1992, he undertook postgraduate psychiatric training in London and Oxford. 
 
He practises in London and the Thames Valley and has held an NHS Consultant Post based in Ascot since 2001.

 

Initial consultations can be arranged in Central London, Windsor, Maidenhead and Woking. Patients will only be seen for an assessment with approval from their General Practitioner. Dr Loughlin is happy to offer advice on costs of consultation, any tests which are required or treatments recommended.

 

Medico-legal and Occupational Health examinations are undertaken following instructions by law firms or medical insurance companies.

 

 

Conditions such as generalised anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder are readily amenable to psychological treatment and, if necessary, medication. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (C.B.T.) is the most frequently chosen form of psychological treatment used for these disorders.

 

An initial psychiatric assessment enables a formulation of the social, psychological and physical factors that have led to the anxiety problem.

 

The two main types of addictions are chemical and behavioural. Chemical addiction includes addiction to alcohol or cocaine, for example. Behavioural addiction includes problems like gambling.

 

A psychiatric assessment explores the possible physical, social and psychological factors that may have led to the addiction. Physical investigations are organised when clinically indicated e.g. blood tests or a brain scan. In some cases in-patient detoxification is clinically indicated. Referral to a Psychologist is made where appropriate.

 

Referral to a specialist addiction treatment programme is made when clinically indicated. Families are encouraged to be part of the healing process helping the recovery of the individual. Treatment for other mental health problems that may co-exist with the addiction can be initiated.

 

Clinical depression is an illness that needs to be taken seriously. Modern treatments are highly effective and the prognosis for the vast majority of patients is very good. If depression is not treated adequately quality of life and physical health can suffer. Clinical depression is the single biggest cause for people taking time off work due to ill-health. Quite often these people have not had optimum treatment.

 

It is very important to obtain an accurate early diagnosis. The clinical assessment takes into account any physical, psychological or social factors that could have led to an individual feeling depressed. Psychological work is mainly in the form of cognitive behaviour therapy. Some patients are referred for psychodynamic, family or integrative psychotherapies.

 

The term bipolar disorder describes a group of disorders. They have in common two phases of mood disturbance or ‘poles’.

 

Mania is characterised by overactivity, irritability and euphoria. Milder forms of mania are called ‘hypomania’. The other pole is a depressed state which is described in the section on clinical depression. Sometimes patients with this condition can have mixed states where they experience features of mania/hypomania and depression. Bipolar disorder affects about 2% of the population. It can be successfully treated with medication and psychotherapy. The Manic Depression Fellowship website offers some valuable information to people who think they may have the condition.

Schizophrenia is amenable to pharmacological treatment. Social and psychological treatments are also very important. Early diagnosis and treatment improves outcome for people with this condition. Education for patient and their families is very important. There is increasing evidence that psychological interventions can benefit patients as well as medications. Treatment of an acute illness is followed by planning maintenance treatment and care which is aimed at to enabling the individual to make a full recovery.

 

Individuals experiencing memory problems will consult with their General Practitioner first. The G.P. will decide whether it is appropriate for that individual to be assessed in a memory clinic.

 

The memory clinic provides detailed clinical assessment by the consultant Psychiatrist and referral for brain imaging. Referral to a Consultant Neurologist is made when it is clinically appropriate. Blood tests to exclude any possible physical causes for memory decline are usually arranged.

A detailed neuropsychometric assessment is arranged when appropriate.

 

General advice is given for patients and carers regarding driving, legal matters and benefits. ECG investigation is arranged for patients who are to receive medication. Prescription of medication (including Aricept, Exelon, Reminyl and Ebixa) and monitoring of patients on medication is offered.

 

In addition to his NHS consultancy at the Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot, Berkshire Dr Loughlin holds private clinics at a number of leading private hospitals, including: