Dr. Maja Elia

Dr Elia is a Consultant General Adult and Old Age Psychiatrist with over 15 years’ experience working therapeutically in mental health with adults, older adults and their families. She has a friendly, compassionate nature, is very patient focused, and values an individualised approach while ensuring evidence-based practice is followed.

She is currently a Consultant Psychiatrist at North London Foundation NHS Trust. She completed her core training in psychiatry at St Mary’s & Charing Cross Hospital (Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, affiliated to Imperial College School of Medicine) and her postgraduate training on the University College London and Partners scheme across Barnet, Enfield and Haringey NHS Trust and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust. She obtained qualifications in general adult psychiatry, old age psychiatry and liaison psychiatry with a special interest in addiction.

Her training, alongside leading professors and clinicians, gave her strong clinical skills and evidence-based knowledge in treating a wide range of psychiatric conditions including depression, OCD, PTSD, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD and cognitive disorders. She is skilled in comprehensive assessment of complex and severe mental health conditions and advocates a holistic, tailored approach to treatment .

Dr Elia has particular expertise in the assessment and management of ADHD in adults, offering detailed and structured evaluations that consider developmental history, functional impairment, and symptom presentation across settings. She is experienced in identifying and managing comorbidities commonly associated with ADHD, including anxiety, OCD, PTSD, mood disorders, and trauma-related conditions, and places strong emphasis on differential diagnosis. She is committed to a holistic approach, considering psychological, biological, and social factors in every case. She is adept at distinguishing ADHD from other psychiatric disorders with overlapping features, ensuring diagnostic clarity and appropriate treatment planning.

Dr Elia has a particular interest in ADHD in women, including how symptoms can be influenced by hormonal changes across the lifespan. She recognises the role of oestrogen and progesterone in modulating cognitive and emotional functioning, often leading to under-recognition or misdiagnosis. She has clinical experience in managing ADHD across key hormonal transition periods, including the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, the postpartum period, and perimenopause/menopause. Her approach integrates careful assessment with personalised management plans, which may include adapting medication strategies in line with hormonal patterns, as well as psychological support, psychoeducation, and lifestyle interventions. She works collaboratively with patients to improve symptom stability, functioning, and overall wellbeing, while taking into account the broader biological and psychosocial context.

She has undertaken specialist ADHD training through UKAAN and regularly contributes to teaching on ADHD. She also keeps up to date with the latest developments in the field, including attending international ADHD conferences.

In addition to her NHS role, she provides private psychiatric care in general adult and old age psychiatry, specialising in ADHD, dementia and neurostimulation treatments.

Dr Elia has extensive expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of dementia and related cognitive disorders. She is highly skilled in conducting detailed cognitive assessments and differentiating between various types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. She takes a holistic approach to care, supporting not only patients but also their families, and combines pharmacological treatments with non-pharmacological strategies to optimise quality of life.

Her dual training in old age psychiatry and liaison psychiatry gives her expertise in managing mental health conditions in elderly patients with physical health problems. While working as a Consultant Psychiatrist on an inpatient unit for older adults, she was nominated for The Royal College Award by senior colleagues and the trust management board for her contribution to NHS services and quality of care. She has developed strong skills in conducting cognitive assessments, diagnosing different types of dementia, and treating these conditions holistically using evidence-based medicine.

In addition to her clinical work, she has published in respected medical journals, including the Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care. She is also active in teaching, delivering training to medical students at University College London, and maintains a strong interest in mental health research.