Dr Ahmed Yahya

Dr Yahya is a highly experienced and distinguished consultant psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to the advancement and practice of psychiatric medicine. He obtained his medical degree from Bart’s and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry in 2011.

Throughout his early career, Dr Yahya gained comprehensive experience in emergency medicine, surgery, and general medicine while working in South London.

Pursuing his passion for psychiatry, Dr Yahya completed his core psychiatry training in North Central London and became a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in January 2017. He further specialized in General Adult Psychiatry, completing his specialist training at the Bart’s and the London Higher Training Programme.

Dr Yahya has an extensive background in various psychiatric sub-specialties, including intensive care psychiatry. His clinical expertise is particularly notable in managing complex conditions, for which he has been widely commended. He possesses the competencies required to lead an Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) department and is certified in repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS). Additionally, Dr Yahya is a recognized specialist in the diagnosis and management of autism and ADHD.

In his role, Dr Yahya also contributes to the training and development of junior doctors and medical students, ensuring the next generation of medical professionals are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for the field.

Dr Yahya's research interests are diverse and encompass new and emerging treatments for psychiatric disorders. His prolific contributions to the field include 31 peer-reviewed scientific articles and numerous poster presentations at international conferences. He has also contributed to multiple editions of the Royal College (RCPsych) newsletter and regularly peer-reviews academic papers for high-impact journals, including those of the prestigious Nature research group.

Dr Yahya is passionate about early intervention and prevention work in mental health conditions. He treats the following conditions:

• Adjustment disorder
• Anxiety
• Anger management
• Autism
• Bereavement
• ADHD
• Bipolar disorder
• Body dysmorphic disorder
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Conversion disorder
• Cognitive Disorders
• Dissociative Disorders
• Drug induced psychosis
• Neuropsychiatry
• Medically unexplained symptoms (MUD)
• OCD
• PTSD
• Personality disorders
• Phobias
• Schizophrenia
• Self-harm
• Somatic symptom disorder (SSD)
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Suicidal thoughts
• Selective mutism
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sleep disorders
• Stress
• Tourette’s syndrome
• Trichotillomania
• Gambling addiction
• Gaming Addiction
• Mental disorders in pregnancy and postnatal
• Treatment Resistant Depression
• Treatment Resistant Anxiety
• Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia
• Work Related Stress

Dr Yahya uses a collaborative approach to treatment, ensuring that his patients are fully involved in every step of the decision making process for their treatment and recovery. He performs comprehensive assessments of his patients’ mental health and guides them to personalised, evidence-based and holistic models of mental wellbeing.

Dr Yahya is trained in multiple therapeutic approaches. He uses a biopsychosocial and holistic approach.

Dr Yahya is very experienced in psychopharmacology. He will provide a full explanation and discussion of the pros and cons before the initiation of any medication.

Dr Yahya works both face to face and via Microsoft Teams. He can be flexible about this according to the patient’s wishes. Engagement with a patient and establishing a good therapeutic alliance is of paramount importance. The patient needs to feel reassured the person they are talking to can help them and this is a key component of Dr Yahya’s empathic approach.

Outside of work, Dr Yahya spends his spare time exercising, watching sport and going to the theatre.

Recent feedback from Dr Yahya’s patients include:

‘I was fortunate to be supported by Dr Yahya for a neurodiversity assessment, and I can confidently say that he is by far the best medical professional I have ever come across. Dr Yahya is incredibly empathetic, patient, and possesses exceptional emotional intelligence. The health issues I struggle with are complex and require thorough attention to detail, and Dr Yahya took the time to understand every aspect with genuine care and dedication. His approach goes far beyond simply prescribing medication — it is his flexible, patient-focused, and deeply compassionate way of working that has made the biggest difference. Thanks to his support, I have seen a significant improvement in my quality of life and have built the resilience I needed to move forward with more confidence and stability. I continue to be supported by Dr Yahya, and I truly feel fortunate to have him by my side on this journey. I would highly, highly recommend him to anyone I know. I am truly grateful to have had — and to continue having — the privilege of being supported by Dr Yahya. He has made a lasting positive impact, and I cannot recommend him highly enough.’ ‘Dr Yahya has been an incredible support over the past year. He has guided me through an extremely traumatic period in my life with genuine care and compassion, taking the time to truly get to know me. His careful and accurate diagnosis was a turning point, and he has continued to support me as I begin to adjust to my new normal. I’m deeply grateful for his professionalism, empathy, and expertise—and I honestly can’t recommend him highly enough.’

‘I have been a patient of Dr. Yahya's for a consistent period of time to address a severe episode of depression which has been ongoing for a long time. Dr. Yahya is a good communicator and a good listener, and both of these attributes are strengths to his credit as he makes a real effort to understand the patient, what they have gone through and what the next steps for recovery should be. I have seen in my time working with him how he has looked at my particular case in great depth, and has applied much rigour to what the right pharmacological interventions should be. Words seem a bit inadequate to express my thanks to him for his care and support on what has been a challenging journey. I can safely say that anyone experiencing the hard challenges of depression will be in safe hands with Dr. Yahya's care. An additional thanks to his administrative staff who are always very helpful whether that be on phone or email.’

‘I have been seeing Dr Yahya for a year now. I have no doubt in my mind that he has saved both me from going into a Psychiatric hospital and possibly saving my life. Since seeing Dr Yahya, he has used consultations and medical prescriptions to completely change my life. I had years of anxiety and hyperawareness that was ruining my working life, as well as my family life. There has been an astonishing turn around my mental health, and will be eternally grateful to him. He is so caring and constantly sought opinions from my wife to see how I was responding to medication. I cannot rate him high enough. Thank you Dr Yahya. His secretary Sarah Glyn has amazing with fantastic response time and scheduling of appointments. What a dream team.’

Clinical Interests

Dr Yahya's clinical interests include neuropsychiatry, complex trauma, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, childhood autism, ADHD, eating disorders, perinatal psychiatry, brain stimulation therapies and occupational psychiatry.

Publications in Peer Reviewed Medical and Scientific Journals

• Yahya AS, Khawaja S, Chukwuma J, Chukwuma C. Early Diagnosis and Management of Bulimia Nervosa in Type 1 Diabetes. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2020 Dec;22(6). DOI: 10.4088/pcc.20nr02707. Article has been certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S. Psychiatric Disorder in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome-Hypermobility Type. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2020 Oct 29;22(6):20nr02644. doi: 10.4088/PCC.20nr02644. PMID: 33125200.
• Yahya, A. S., Khawaja, S., & Chuwkuma, J. (2020). Understanding schizophrenia, unifying the phenomenological and cognitive sciences approaches. Problems of Psychology in the 21st Century, 14(1), 64-74. https://doi.org/10.33225/ppc/20.14.64.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S. The Course of Eating Disorders during COVID-19. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2020;22(3):20com02657.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S. COVID-19 in Care Home Settings. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2020;22(3):20com02652. https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.20com02652.
• Yahya AS, Chukwuma J. Retrospective Audit of the Management of Anal Insertion of Foreign Bodies: A Holistic Approach. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2016; 18(1):10 doi: 10.4088/pcc.15br01864.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S, Chukwuma J. COVID-19 and a Potential Rise in Bullying Behaviours. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2020;22(3):20com02642. Published 2020 May 28. doi:10.4088/PCC.20com0264.
• Yahya AS, Allin M, Chukwuma J. Vitamin D Insufficiency/Deficiency in Patients on a Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation Unit. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation 2-17; Vol 21 (1) 32-37.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S, Chukwuma J. The Use of “Novel Pharmacology” in the Treatment of COVID-19 and Potential Psychiatric Risks. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2020;22(3):20com02638. 05.2020, doi:10.4088/PCC.20com02638.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S, Chukwuma J. Association of COVID-19 with Intimate Partner Violence. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2020;22(3):20com02634. 05.2020. doi:10.4088/PCC.20com02634.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S, Chukwuma J. The Impact of COVID-19 in Psychiatry. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2020;22(2):20l02627. 04.2020. doi:10.4088/PCC.20l02627.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S, Chukwuma J. Staff Morale and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders. 2020;22(3):20com02645.
• Yahya AS, Williams S, Ezeonwuka J, Chukwuma J. Review and Proposed Management of Violence in the Secure Psychiatric Ward. Examines Phy Med Rehab. 2019; 2(4). EPMR.000543.2019. DOI: 10.31031/EPMR.2019.02.000543.
• Yahya AS, Katona C, Allin M and Chukwuma J. Identifying Significant Antipsychotic-Related Side Effects in Patients on a Community Psychiatric Rehabilitation Unit-A Feasibility Study of The Glasgow Antipsychotic Side-Effect Scale (GASS). Examines Phy Med Rehab. 2(1). EPMR.000529. 2018. DOI: 10.31031/EPMR.2018.02.000529.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S. Bereavement and Grief During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Prim Care Companion CNS Disorders. 2020;22(4):20com02661. Published 2020 Jun 25. doi:10.4088/PCC.20com02661
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S. Supporting patients with autism during COVID-19. Prim Care Companion CNS Disorders. 2020;22(4):20com02668.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S. COVID-19 and perinatal psychiatry. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2020;22(4):20com02685.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S. Medical ethics and ventilator allocation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2020;22(4):20com02687.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S. Problem gambling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2020;22(4):20com02690
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S. Stalking and COVID-19: Consequences of a Pandemic. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2020;22(4):20com02691. doi: 10.4088/PCC.20com02691. PMID: 32767872.
• Yahya AS, Khawaja S, Chukwuma J. Management of impulse control disorders in Parkinson’s disease. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry. 2020; 24(3): 30-34.
• Yahya, Ahmed & Khawaja, Shakil. (2021). Electroconvulsive therapy for refractory anxiety disorders. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry. 25. 34-38. 10.1002/pnp.709.
• Yahya, Ahmed & Khawaja, Shakil. (2021). Electroconvulsive Therapy as a Treatment for Somatization Disorder. The Primary Care Companion For CNS Disorders. 23. 10.4088/PCC.20r02807.
• Yahya, Ahmed & Khawaja, Shakil. (2021). Electroconvulsive Therapy as a Treatment for Tardive Dyskinesia. The primary care companion for CNS disorders. 23. 10.4088/PCC.20r02775.
• Yahya, Ahmed & Khawaja, Shakil. (2021). Electroconvulsive Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: A Review of Current Evidence. The primary care companion for CNS disorders. 23. 10.4088/PCC.20r02717.
• Yahya, Ahmed & Khawaja, Shakil. (2021). Electroconvulsive therapy in Huntington’s disease. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry. 25. 33-38. 10.1002/pnp.729.
• Yahya, Ahmed & Khawaja, Shakil & Williams, Paul & Naguib, Meena. (2022). Neuromodulation approaches for borderline personality disorder. rogress in Neurology and Psychiatry. 26. 38-43. 10.1002/pnp.740.
• Yahya, Ahmed & Khawaja, Shakil & Williams, Paul & Naguib, Meena. (2022). Binge eating disorder and type 2 diabetes: epidemiology and treatment approaches. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry. 26. 33-37. 10.1002/pnp.749.
• Yahya, Ahmed & Khawaja, Shakil & Naguib, Meena. (2023). ‘Diabulimia’: current insights into type 1 diabetes and bulimia nervosa. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry. 27. 44-49. 10.1002/pnp.782.
• Yahya, Ahmed & Naguib, Meena & Khawaja, Shakil. (2023). Psychiatric disorder in DYT1 dystonia. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry. 27. 24-26. 10.1002/pnp.789
• Rogers JP, Lewis G, Yahya A, et al. Identifying predictors of adverse outcomes after termination of seclusion in psychiatric intensive care units. BJPsych Open. 2024;10(3):e120. doi:10.1192/bjo.2024.710

Peer Reviews Completed

• Peer Review for the Journal Annals of Medicine.
• Peer Reviews for Nature Journals.
• Scientific Reports, Nature Research Journals.
• Humanities and Social Sciences Communications (published by Springer Nature), Nature Research Journals.