Psychiatrist Note - ADHD Treatment Plan
Diagnosis: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Combined Presentation F90.2 (ICD-10 code: F90.2)
Medication:
* Methylphenidate 10mg, once daily in the morning
Physical Parameters: 1 November 2024
* Heart rate: 72 bpm
* Blood pressure: 120/80 mmHg
* Current weight: 68 kg
Management Plan:
1. Mr. David Smith will send in his baseline heart rate, BP, and pre-treatment weight.
2. Recommended titration regimen:
• Methylphenidate: Starting dose 10mg once daily for 7 days, then escalate to 20mg once daily for 7 days, then 30mg once daily. Prescription given to patient.
3. I will send Mr. David Smith a supporting letter for university.
4. I will share information on Methylphenphenidate, serotonin syndrome, and ADHD resources.
5. Advised lifestyle modifications, including regular exercise and a structured daily routine.
Recommendations for Primary Care:
* Advise GP to monitor blood pressure and heart rate every 3 months for the first year of treatment.
* Request GP to be aware of potential drug interactions with SSRIs if initiated in the future.
* Suggest annual review of ADHD symptoms and medication efficacy by the GP.
Follow-Up:
Scheduled for 4 weeks to review medication efficacy and side effects, but Mr. David Smith can bring this forward if he has any concerns.
Repeat prescription link: www.exampleclinic.com/repeat-prescription
Out of hours support: Available via clinic switchboard
Crisis support lines:
* The Example Clinic: 020 1234 5678
* NHS 111
* Samaritans: 116 123
* SANEline: 0300 304 7000
* National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 0800 689 5652
* CALM: 0800 58 58 58
* Shout: Text 'SHOUT' to 85258
* Emergency Services: 999
Review:
I met with Mr. David Smith via video link on 1 November 2024. A DIVA-5 assessment confirmed an ADHD diagnosis, Combined Presentation, with scores of 8/9 in the inattentive domain and 7/9 in the hyperactive/impulsive domain. Mr. Smith expressed significant relief at receiving a diagnosis and hopes that treatment will improve his academic performance and reduce feelings of overwhelm.
Mr. Smith reported no pre-existing mental health difficulties or significant mood disturbances. He noted occasional anxiety related to academic deadlines but denied a formal diagnosis of an anxiety disorder.
Relevant medical history includes no significant cardiac history, no tics, and no history of seizures. Blood pressure and heart rate were within normal limits today. He is not currently on any long-term medications.
We discussed various treatment options, including non-pharmacological strategies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and coaching, alongside pharmacological options. The relative effectiveness of stimulant and non-stimulant medications was explored. The rationale for trialling medication was primarily to address his significant functional impairment in academic and organisational tasks, which non-pharmacological strategies alone have not adequately managed.
We discussed how stimulant medications assist with focus, task initiation, and emotional regulation by increasing dopamine and noradrenaline in the brain. It was clarified that while stimulants are highly effective, they are not a 'cure' for ADHD and that non-pharmacological strategies remain crucial for long-term management.
Mr. Smith made an informed decision to trial medication, opting to start with Methylphenidate.
Side effects to monitor were thoroughly discussed, including headaches, appetite suppression, potential weight loss, sleep disturbance, palpitations, and raised blood pressure. The risk of lowered mood, as well as the rare potential for mania or psychosis, was highlighted, with advice to monitor mood changes and stop medication if concerned. He was advised to have breakfast before taking his medication, to maintain a high-protein diet, and to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs to minimise potential adverse effects and interactions.
Mr. Smith is not taking any other medications that might interact with the Methylphenidate to be started. The risk of serotonin syndrome was discussed as a general precaution, although unlikely given his current medication profile.
We discussed the risks associated with stimulant medication in pregnancy, emphasising the importance of contraception if sexually active and planning for any future pregnancies. It was recommended that any decisions regarding stimulant use during pregnancy be made in consultation with his doctor.
Mr. Smith was advised regarding DVLA notification, specifically that he only needs to inform the DVLA if he feels the medication or condition is affecting his ability to drive safely.
Mental state examination revealed Mr. Smith to be engaged and cooperative. Speech was normal in rate and rhythm. Affect was appropriate to mood, which was euthymic with some expressed anxiety about academic performance. There was no evidence of suicidal ideation, hopelessness, or self-harm. No affective or psychotic symptoms were present. He demonstrated full capacity to understand the information provided and make decisions regarding his treatment.
Diagnosis: [Diagnosis as stated by the clinician including condition name and ICD-10 code] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Do not invent or infer a diagnosis. Include ICD-10 code in brackets after diagnosis if stated.)
Medication: [Medications including name, dosage, and frequency] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write as a list.)
Physical Parameters: [Physical parameters including date of reading if available, heart rate in bpm, and blood pressure in mmHg] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write as a list.)
[Current weight in kg] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely.)
Management Plan:
1. [Baseline physical parameter instructions] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. If heart rate has not been provided or if the patient has been advised to send it in, state "(patient name) will send in (his / her / their) baseline heart rate." If blood pressure has not been provided or if the patient has been advised to send it in, state "(patient name) will send in (his / her / their) baseline BP." If pre-treatment weight has not been provided or if the patient has been advised to send it in, state "(patient name) will send in (his / her / their) pre-treatment weight.")
2. [Recommended titration regimen including medication name, starting dose, escalation steps, and prescription method] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in bullet points. State whether prescription was "given to patient" or "via Pharmacierge" as appropriate.)
3. [University support letter] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. If university is mentioned, state "_I will send (patient name) a supporting letter for university_.")
4. [Information sharing regarding medication, serotonin syndrome, or ADHD resources] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. If discussed, state "I will share information on (medication / serotonin syndrome / ADHD resources).")
5. [Any additional management plan items] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in short bullet points.)
Recommendations for Primary Care:
[Specific guidance for the GP regarding ongoing care, monitoring, or coordination] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in short bullet points.)
Follow-Up:
[Planned follow-up appointment details and timeline] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. State "but (patient name) can bring this forward if (he / she / they) has / have any concerns.")
[Repeat prescription link, out of hours support statement, and crisis support lines including clinic name, NHS line, Samaritans, SANEline, National Suicide Prevention Helpline, CALM, Shout, and emergency services] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write each support line on a new line.)
**Review:**
[Opening statement including clinician's meeting with the patient, appointment modality, date, DIVA-5 assessment outcome, ADHD diagnosis subtype confirmed, and scores in inattentive and hyperactive domains] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. If appointment was in person use "at [clinic name]"; if via video use "via video link". Write in full sentences.)
[Patient's specific concerns, feelings regarding the diagnosis, and hopes for treatment outcome] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[Discussion of mood or pre-existing mental health difficulties] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[Relevant medical history or specific medical discussion including but not limited to OCD, tics, blood pressure, heart disease, palpitations, seizures, or epilepsy] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[Discussion of treatment options including non-pharmacological strategies and pharmacological options, relative effectiveness of medication classes, and rationale for trialling medication] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in paragraphs of full sentences.)
[Discussion of how stimulants assist with focus, task initiation, emotional regulation, and their limitations, as well as the role of non-pharmacological strategies] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[Patient's decision to trial medication and name of stimulant medication chosen] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[Discussion of side effects to monitor including headaches, appetite suppression and weight loss, sleep disturbance, palpitations, and raised blood pressure, risk of lowered mood, potential for mania or psychosis, advice to monitor mood changes and stop medication if concerned, recommendation to have breakfast before taking medication, advice regarding a high-protein diet, and guidance to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and recreational drugs] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[Discussion of interactions with other medications and any additional aspects to monitor such as serotonin syndrome] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. If the patient is not taking any other medications, state "(patient name) is not taking any other medications that might interact with the (stimulant medication to be started)". Write in full sentences.)
[Discussion of risks associated with stimulant medication in pregnancy, contraception, and prenatal planning] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[Recommendation regarding future pregnancy planning and stimulant use, including advice to discuss with the patient's doctor] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[DVLA notification advice stating that the patient only needs to inform the DVLA if they feel the medication or condition is affecting their ability to drive safely] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences.)
[Mental state examination findings including engagement, speech, affect, mood, discussion of suicidal ideation, hopelessness, or self-harm, presence or absence of affective or psychotic symptoms, and capacity assessment] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences.)