Private ADHD Titration

There is currently a national shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and the growing demand for ADHD medications worldwide.

Our service can provide private ADHD treatment as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessment fees include the cost of one prescription.

Titration

A thorough assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be conducted with a highly experienced consultant Psychiatrist. This includes a medical history and an assessment using the standard ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.

After your evaluation After your assessment, you will be informed if medication would be beneficial for your situation. This will happen at your follow-up appointment (which can be done in person via video link or by phone). Your physician will go over the different options for medication available. If you decide to start taking medication, we can help you to titrate your dose to optimize the benefits/side-effects balance for you.

This is a process which can take several weeks. It involves adjusting the dosage of your child's medication gradually until the appropriate balance is achieved. It is not uncommon to to adjust up to three different medicines before you can find the one that best suits your child's ADHD. It's important for parents to participate in this titration process and keep a close eye on their child's behaviour so that they can inform the doctor whether the medication is helping or causing side effects.

If you decide to return to NHS treatment, you will receive a private prescription for your medication. You will have to pay for your prescription at the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation cost. You will be required to attend six monthly appointments to monitor your medication. This includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual exams are also required.

Follow-up appointments

Once the evaluation has been completed you will be able to make appointment with the psychiatrist as appropriate. The appointment is usually done by video conference using zoom. In some instances, it could be possible to have an audio-only appointment to be scheduled (again with an additional cost).

We will then go over the options for treatment and then decide on the most appropriate, customized ADHD medication adjustment. This will include a discussion and review of your dosage of medication and any side effects that you may be experiencing. The cost for these titration sessions is PS150 for face-to face sessions and PS60 for online or telephone video consultations. The pharmacy will be charged for any charges for medication.

The psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history and the impact your ADHD symptoms impact your life, as well as any issues with relationships you may be experiencing or other mental health issues you may be experiencing. ADHD is a genetic condition, and it's vital to assess your family history in order to determine if you're at chance of developing this disorder.

During the assessment, it is essential that you are truthful and open with the doctor in the sense that they will use the information you provide to determine whether you are able to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is an important step, as an incorrect diagnosis could result in a prescription for medication that is not appropriate.

If you decide to receive treatment for ADHD, we'll arrange an appointment to follow-up with a psychiatrist who is specialized in this area. If you'd like to begin treatment immediately, you can do this when you are diagnosed. You can also take two weeks to think about the implications of the diagnosis and the options available to you.

We suggest that if you are unsure of your preferences, you talk to your GP prior to scheduling your private assessment. Certain providers have different guidelines regarding whether they require an GP letter. We also suggest to check if your GP accepts a 'Shared Care Agreement', which means that after you have been discharged from the clinic you will be sent back to them to get the prescription for medication.

Medication

Medication is an integral aspect of the treatment process for many people who are seeking an official ADHD diagnosis. Getting prescriptions from an NHS psychiatrist can be a hassle and time-consuming. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long and GPs may be reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.

One method to avoid this is to request your GP to refer you through Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). You can choose a service that offers an assessment on your own and titration. This will help you reduce time and be more convenient, especially in the event of a hectic schedule.

After you have been diagnosed, your doctor will examine your condition to determine if you need medication adjustment. You will need to fill out forms that vary by doctor but the most frequent ones are self-reporting forms and medical histories dating to childhood and adulthood. These forms will help your clinician determine if there are reasons that suggest you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications, in the event that they've been prescribed.

If you are on a titration medication, it is likely to include a mix of stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. These will be thoroughly tested and monitored to find the best combination for you. The process of titration can be lengthy and may need some additional appointments before you are stable on your dose.

Based on the type of medication you are taking, follow-up appointments can be scheduled either monthly or quarterly. Your clinician will check that you are stable with the medication, note any adverse reactions you have experienced and make any needed adjustments to ensure that you remain on a safe dosage. You will be required to attend an annual review and a routine health exam that includes pulse, blood pressure, and weight measurements.

For some it could be because they are happy with their medication and don't require a further discussion about their titration. If you're required to discuss your titration plan or treatment plan in more detail it what is titration in adhd likely that you will be referred back to the private doctor who performed your initial assessment. If this happens, the titration appointment will be included in the consultation fees and they will receive their medication through a private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than an NHS prescription because the pharmacy will charge for the medication.