Private ADHD Titration
There is currently a nationwide shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing issues and increased global demand.
Our service offers private ADHD titration instead of waiting for NHS funding via Right to Choose. Our assessment fees cover the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A highly experienced consultant psychiatrist will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your ADHD. This includes a thorough medical history, and an evaluation using the standard ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
After your examination After your assessment, you will be informed that medication may be beneficial for your particular situation. titration ADHD adults will take place at your follow-up appointment (which can take place in person, by video link or by phone). Your clinician will explain what medication options are available and, if you decide to begin taking medication, we will offer to titrate the dose to optimise the balance of benefits and side effects for you.
This process may take several weeks and requires gradually altering your child's dosage until the appropriate balance has been achieved. It's not uncommon to have to adjust up to three different medications before you find the one that best suits your child's ADHD. It is essential that parents are involved in the titration process and be on the lookout for their child's behavior so that they can let the doctors know if the medication is helping or causing adverse effects.
If you decide to go back to NHS treatment you will be issued a private prescription for your medication. You will have to pay the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation fee. You must attend six-monthly appointments to check your medication. This includes pulse and blood pressure measurements. Annual exams are also required.
Follow-up appointments
After the assessment is completed, you will be able to book appointment with your psychiatrist, if appropriate. Usually the appointment will take place through a video call using zoom however in some instances it is possible to do an audio only consultation (again at an additional cost).
At this point, we will discuss any treatment options we have and decide on a custom-made ADHD medication titration plan. This will include an assessment of your medication dosage and a discussion around any adverse effects you may be experiencing. The cost of these titration consultations is PS150 for face-to-face sessions and PS60 for telephone or online video consultations. The cost of medication is additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The psychiatrist will ask you questions about your family history, the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your life and any mental health issues you might be experiencing. ADHD is a genetic condition, so it's important to examine your family background to determine if you're at a greater risk of developing this disorder.
During the assessment, it is essential that you are honest and open with the doctor in the sense that they will be using the information you provide to determine if you are able to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is a vital part of the process, as failing to do so could result in an inaccurate diagnosis and therefore inappropriate prescribing of medication.
If you've decided you would like to receive treatment for your ADHD, we will then schedule a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialise in this field. This can be scheduled in the wake of your diagnosis if you are keen to begin treatment right away, or within two weeks if you would like more time to consider the implications of your diagnosis and the options available to you.
If you are unsure of which one you prefer We suggest you talk with your GP prior to scheduling your private assessment as some providers have different policies regarding whether they require a GP referral letter or not. Find out if your GP accepts a Shared Care Agreement, which means that you will be referred to them after you leave the clinic for prescriptions for medication.
Medication
For many who wish to obtain an official diagnosis of ADHD treatment is a key part of their journey. The process of getting an appointment with an NHS psychiatrist can be difficult and lengthy. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs can be reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.
here. to circumvent this is to ask your GP to refer you through Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). You can pick a provider that offers a private assessment service and the titration. This will cut down your waiting time considerably and can be more convenient if you are working and have a busy schedule.
If you are diagnosed, your doctor will examine you to determine if you need medication adjustment. You'll have to complete forms that differ by provider, but the most common ones are self-reporting forms and medical histories that go back to childhood and adulthood. These forms will help your clinician determine if there are factors that could mean you shouldn't take ADHD medication, even in the event that they've been prescribed.
If you are being titrated, the medication will consist of a mixture of stimulants and nonstimulant medicines. These will be thoroughly examined and monitored to determine the best combination for you. The titration process may be lengthy and may require a few extra appointments before you are stable on your dose.
Based on the type of medication you are taking, follow-up appointments could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. The appointment will involve your doctor checking to see if you are stable on the medication, recording any side effects you've experienced and making any necessary adjustments to ensure you are on a safe dosage. You are required to attend an annual review as well as a regular health check-up that includes pulse, blood pressure and weight measurements.
For some individuals it could be because they are satisfied with their medication and don't require any further discussion on their titration. If, however, they require further discussions regarding their titration and treatment plans, it's possible that they will be passed back to the private clinic that performed their initial assessment. If this happens, the titration appointment will be included in their consultation fee, and they will receive their medication through an individual prescription (see Consultation fees above). This can cost more than a prescription from the NHS, as the pharmacy will charge you for the medication.