FAQs

Popular Questions

Your Ultimate Resource To Learn More About Us & Our Services

We offer a comprehensive range of mental health services, including diagnosis, treatment, and support for conditions such as ADHD, Autism and addictive behaviour, sleep and stress/burnout.

Yes, we provide specialised support services for children, including assessments and interventions tailored to their developmental needs. Our team includes psychiatrists, coaches and therapists experienced in working with young people.

Yes, we recognise that mental health conditions can present differently in women and men. Our assessments and treatment plans are tailored to consider these differences, ensuring that each individual receives personalised care based on their unique needs and symptoms. We have a female specific and sensitive approach for autism and ADHD assessment.

Yes, we offer online appointments for those who prefer virtual consultations. Our telehealth services allow you to access our mental health professionals from the comfort of your home, ensuring convenience and accessibility.

During your first visit, you will undergo a comprehensive assessment with one of our mental health professionals. This session will involve discussing your symptoms, medical history, and any concerns you may have.

Absolutely. We adhere to strict confidentiality policies to ensure your privacy and the security of your personal information. All sessions and records are kept confidential in accordance with legal and ethical guidelines.

We are based in Wilmslow and Manchester, but we offer services to clients from various locations through our online appointment system. Please visit our contact page for more details and directions to our office.

The time it takes to see results varies depending on the individual and the nature of their condition. Some people may notice improvements within a weeks, while others may require a longer-term approach. Our team will work with you to develop a treatment plan that aims for the best possible outcomes in a realistic timeframe.

Appointments can be booked through our website using our online booking system, or by calling our office directly. Our staff is available to assist you with scheduling and answer any questions you may have.

Our office hours are 0900 to 1700.  We also offer evening and weekend appointments to accommodate different schedules. Please check our contact page for specific hours and availability.

Yes, we accept a variety of insurance plans. Please contact our office or visit our insurance information page to see if we accept your specific insurance provider.

We provide services for individuals of all ages, including children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Our team is trained to address the unique mental health needs of each age group.

Accessibility & Convenience

Yes, we have ample parking available for our clients. Please refer to our contact page for detailed parking instructions and directions.

Yes, we have staff members who are fluent in multiple languages. Please let us know if you require services in a specific language, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

We understand that sometimes plans change. Please contact our office in advance to cancel or reschedule your appointment to avoid any cancellation fees.

Follow-up and Continuing Care

Follow-up care is an essential part of our treatment process. Depending on your treatment plan, this may include regular reviews, medication management, or periodic assessments to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.

Yes, involving family members can be beneficial, especially for children and adolescents. Family therapy sessions are available, and we encourage family involvement when appropriate to support the treatment process.

No, you are not legally required to disclose your condition to your employer. However, there are circumstances where sharing this information can be beneficial, such as when you need reasonable accommodations to perform your job effectively. Under the Equality Act 2010, you are entitled to adjustments that can help you work more efficiently. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons and consider your workplace environment before deciding to disclose.

While you are not required to disclose your condition to your employer or GP, doing so can provide significant benefits in terms of support, accommodations, and comprehensive healthcare. Carefully consider your individual circumstances, and if you decide to disclose, approach the conversation with preparation and confidence. If you need advice on how to proceed, consulting with a mental health professional or legal advisor can be helpful.

About Our Treatments & Your Care

Sanctum Healthcare is a specialised mental health service provider offering comprehensive assessments, diagnoses, and treatments for various mental health conditions. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals dedicated to providing personalised care to individuals of all ages.

Assessments at Sanctum Healthcare are conducted by experienced specialists, including psychiatrists, psychologists and ADHD specialist clinicians, depending on the age and needs of the individual being assessed.

Appointment availability varies, but we strive to offer timely consultations. Please contact our office directly or check our online booking system for the most current availability.

While collateral information is helpful, it is not always necessary. Our specialists can still conduct a thorough assessment based on available information and direct observation.

After the assessment, our specialists will provide a detailed report with the diagnosis and recommended treatment plan. We will discuss the findings with you and outline the next steps, including any necessary follow-up appointments or referrals.

You can contact your consultant through our office during business hours. For urgent matters, please use the contact information provided at your initial consultation. We strive to provide prompt responses to all queries.

Yes, you can take the assessment report to your GP. We operate under a shared care approach, where your GP can take over prescribing medication after an initial period of monitoring and adjustment by our specialists. This shared care agreement ensures that you continue to receive the medication you need with the convenience of obtaining it through your GP. We have an 85% success rate in establishing shared care agreements with GPs, ensuring continuity of care and convenient access to medications.

Yes, we offer online consultations for international clients. Please contact our office to discuss how we can accommodate your needs.

Yes, we offer flexible payment plans and may provide discounts in certain circumstances. Please contact our office for more information on available options.

Yes, our diagnoses are recognised by schools and GPs. We provide detailed reports that can be used to support educational accommodations and medical treatment plans.

A diagnosis from Sanctum Healthcare can help your child become eligible for extra support at school. This can include Individualised Education Plans or other accommodations to assist with their learning needs.

If you are diagnosed with a condition other than ADHD, we will provide a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to your specific diagnosis. Our team is equipped to handle a wide range of mental health conditions.

Popular questions about ADHD & Autism

  • Underachievement: Despite having the intellectual capacity, individuals with ADHD might not reach their full potential in academics or their careers due to the challenges posed by their symptoms.
  • Stressful Success: Even when individuals with ADHD do succeed, the journey can be fraught with stress, overexertion, and burnout due to the constant need to navigate and manage their symptoms.
  • Latent Skills: Skills and talents may remain underdeveloped or unrecognized due to the overshadowing difficulties in attention and organisation.
  • ADHD affects multiple domains of an individual’s life, including relationships, career, self-esteem, and mental health
  • Beyond academics, ADHD can affect every element of a person’s functioning, including time management, organisation, social interactions, and emotional regulation.
  • Recognising that ADHD is not just about hyperactive behaviour or inattention is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and support. By understanding the diverse ways in which ADHD can manifest, including rejection sensitivity and addictive behaviours, society can better support individuals with ADHD to lead fulfilling lives.
  • Rejection sensitivity is characterised by extreme emotional sensitivity and emotional pain associated with the perception of being rejected or criticised. This is common among individuals with ADHD and can significantly impact their self-esteem and interpersonal relationship. 
  • ADHD often co-exists with other conditions such as anxiety, depression, learning disorders, and more, making the diagnosis and management complex.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) can sometimes exhibit overlapping symptoms, leading to challenges in distinguishing between the two conditions.

It’s important to note that ADHD and ASD can also co-occur, meaning an individual can have both conditions simultaneously. This can further complicate the diagnostic process.

Given the overlap and potential for co-occurrence, a thorough and comprehensive evaluation conducted by healthcare professionals is crucial for accurate diagnosis and tailored intervention planning.

 

Overlapping Symptoms:

  1. Attention Difficulties
  2. Impulsivity
  3. Social Challenges
  4. Hyperactivity
  5. Sensory Sensitivities

 

Distinguishing Features:

  1. Nature of Social Challenges
  2. Repetitive Behaviours and Restricted Interests
  3. Communication Difficulties
  4. Response to Change

Neither ADHD nor ASD has prevented the following acclaimed individuals achieve success: 

Famous Individuals with ADHD:

  1. Richard Branson: Founder of Virgin Group
  2. Emma Watson: “Harry Potter” series actress
  3. Will Smith: American actor, rapper
  4. Ryan Gosling: Canadian actor, producer
  5. Paris Hilton: American media personality
  6. Adam Levine: Maroon 5 lead singer

 

Famous Individuals with ASD:

  1. Susan Boyle: Scottish “Britain’s Got Talent” singer
  2. Sir Anthony Hopkins: “Silence of the Lambs” actor
  3. Greta Thunberg: Swedish environmental activist
  4. Courtney Love: American singer, actress
  5. Jerry Seinfeld: American comedian, actor

 

Certain historical figures possibly having traits consistent with ADHD or ASD:

  1. Albert Einstein: The physicist, possible traits of ASD.
  2. Isaac Newton: The English mathematician and physicist- traits consistent with ASD.
  3. Leonardo da Vinci: Traits consistent with ADHD due to his diverse interests and unfinished projects.

Effective management of ADHD often involves a multimodal approach, combining various treatment modalities tailored to the individual’s needs.

1. Medication:

  • Stimulants: Medications are commonly prescribed for ADHD and can help increase attention and self-control by enhancing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
  • Non-Stimulants: Some individuals may benefit from non-stimulant medications which can also improve attention, self-control, and restlessness.

2. Lifestyle Factors:

  • Stress Management: Techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, and yoga can help individuals with ADHD manage stress and improve focus.
  • Sleep Optimization: Ensuring a consistent sleep schedule and practicing good sleep hygiene can be beneficial for cognitive function.
  • Nutrition: A balanced diet with an emphasis on omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and minimizing sugar can sometimes contribute to symptom management.
  • Movement and Exercise: Regular physical activity, including aerobic exercise, can have a positive impact on attention and behaviour.
  • Hormone Optimisation: Monitoring and managing hormonal imbalances, under medical guidance, can sometimes be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

3. Psychotherapeutic Interventions:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT can help individuals develop strategies to manage their symptoms, improve organisational skills, and cope with emotional challenges.
  • Coaching: ADHD coaching focuses on helping individuals develop strategies to manage time, organise tasks, and achieve goals.
  • Psychoeducation: Educating individuals with ADHD and their families about the disorder can empower them to understand and manage symptoms effectively.

4. Academic and Workplace Adjustments:

  • Accommodations: Adjustments like extended test-taking time, quiet workspaces, or frequent breaks can help individuals with ADHD perform optimally in academic and professional settings.
  • Assistive Technology: Tools and apps that assist with organisation, reminders, and time management can be beneficial.

5. Behavioural Interventions:

  • Behavioural Therapy: This can involve training parents, teachers, and adults with ADHD in strategies to manage and change disruptive behaviours.
  • Social Skills Training: Some individuals may benefit from training in social skills to improve interpersonal interactions.

6. Support Networks:

  • Support Groups: Connecting with others who have similar experiences can provide emotional support and practical advice.
  • Family Therapy: It can be helpful for families to work together to understand and support a loved one with ADHD.

7. Alternative and Complementary Therapies:

  • Neurofeedback: Some individuals explore therapies like neurofeedback, though the evidence supporting its efficacy can be limited.
  • Mind-Body Practices: Practices such as tai chi or martial arts can be helpful for some in managing symptoms.

The Sanctum ADHD/Autism Assessment pathway is a comprehensive process which collates multiple sources of evidence, objective testing, a data driven approach, completed by a multidisciplinary team. We are proud to say our assessments for ADHD and ASD surpass the NICE guidance. 

The assessment and treatment protocol at Sanctum not only aligns with, but surpasses the NICE guidelines. Our assessment and treatment plans are held to the highest standards of professionalism and care, where all regulated activity is carried out by a specialist healthcare professional and overseen by a specialist GMC-registered consultant clinician within our CQC-registered facility.

We have a very high success rate in achieving shared care agreements with primary care.

In some circumstances, it is pertinent for us to understand why the GP is reluctant to take on shared care. If they have no previous experience of working with an established provider like Sanctum, they may have concerns about quality of care or our approach. We are happy to provide any reassurance in this domain.

 

It is important that media reports about private providers had painted a negative portrayal of the services available and this may be impacting the GP’s consideration towards agreeing SCA. Not all providers are the same and all sectors of healthcare have good and poorly performing providers. Any concerns or queries we can address on request.

 

The GP may not have a good knowledge or experience of how debilitating ADHD is and how treatment is fundamental to good quality of life. We are happy to provide education to any primary care provider to address knowledge gaps, at no cost.

We have a very high success rate in achieving shared care agreements with primary care.

In some circumstances, it is pertinent for us to understand why the GP is reluctant to take on shared care. If they have no previous experience of working with an established provider like Sanctum, they may have concerns about quality of care or our approach. We are happy to provide any reassurance in this domain.

 

It is important that media reports about private providers had painted a negative portrayal of the services available and this may be impacting the GP’s consideration towards agreeing SCA. Not all providers are the same and all sectors of healthcare have good and poorly performing providers. Any concerns or queries we can address on request.

 

The GP may not have a good knowledge or experience of how debilitating ADHD is and how treatment is fundamental to good quality of life. We are happy to provide education to any primary care provider to address knowledge gaps, at no cost.

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