Private ADHD Titration
There is a national shortage of medications that treat ADHD symptoms. This is due both to manufacturing problems as well as an increase in demand worldwide.
Our service offers private ADHD treatment instead of waiting for NHS funding via Right to Choose. Our fees for assessments include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A highly experienced consultant psychiatrist will conduct a thorough assessment of your ADHD. This includes a complete medical history and an evaluation using the common ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
After your assessment After your assessment, you will be informed if medication would be beneficial for your situation. This will be discussed at your follow-up appointment (which may be scheduled in person, via video link or by phone). Your clinician will explain what medication options are available and, if you decide to start on medication we will suggest titrating the dose to optimise the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This process may take a few weeks and involves gradually adjusting your child’s medication until the appropriate balance has been achieved. It is not unusual to have to titrate several times before determining the most effective one for your child's ADHD symptoms. It is essential for parents to be involved in this titration process and keep a close eye on their child's behavior to let the doctor know if the medicine is helping or causing side effects.
If you decide to go back to NHS treatment you will be issued a private prescription for your medication. You will be required to pay for your prescription at the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation cost. You must attend every six months to check your medication - this includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual reviews are also mandatory.
Follow-up appointments
After the assessment is complete, you can schedule follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist. Usually the appointment will take place through a video call using zoom however in some instances it is possible to schedule an audio only consultation (again at an extra cost).
We will then go over the options for treatment and then decide on an individualised, bespoke ADHD medication adjustment. This will include an assessment of your medication dose and a discussion around any adverse effects you may be experiencing. The titration sessions cost PS150 for face-to-face sessions, and PS60 via video or telephone consultation. Costs for medication are extra and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The doctor will also ask you about your family background and the impact your ADHD symptoms have on your life, as well as any relationship issues you might be facing or any other mental health problems that you may be experiencing. ADHD can be a hereditary condition, so it's important to assess your family history to determine if you're at a greater chance of developing this condition.
During this examination, it is crucial that you are truthful and honest with your doctor in the sense that they will use the information you provide to determine if you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is an important step, as a wrong diagnosis could lead to inappropriate medication prescription.
If you decide to receive treatment for ADHD, we'll arrange an appointment to follow-up with a psychiatrist that is skilled in this field. This can be done at the time 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 alternatives available to you.
If you are unsure of which one you prefer, we suggest that you speak with your GP before booking your private appointment as certain providers have different policies regarding whether they require the submission of a GP referral letter or not. We also recommend to confirm that your GP accepts a 'Shared Care Agreement that means that after you have been discharged from the clinic you will be sent back to them to get the prescription for medication.
Medication
For many people who want an official diagnosis of ADHD, medication is an important part of their journey. It can be difficult to get prescriptions from psychiatrists on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be extremely long, and GPs might be reluctant to refer their patients to specialist services.
One way to get around this is to request your GP to refer you through Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). adhd titration private can pick a provider who offers an assessment that is private and titration. This can cut down on wait time considerably and can be more convenient when you are working and have a hectic schedule.
After you have been diagnosed, your doctor will examine you to determine if you require medication titration. You'll have to fill out forms that are different for each provider, but the most common ones are self-reporting questions and medical histories going to childhood and adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor identify any conditions that could mean you shouldn't take ADHD medications if they're prescribed.
If you are on a titration medication, it will typically be a combination of stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. These will be thoroughly assessed and monitored to determine the right combination for you. The titration process may be lengthy and may need several additional appointments before you're stable on your dosage.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments will be contingent on the type and amount of medication you're taking. They can be scheduled for monthly or quarterly. The appointment will involve your doctor making sure that you are on the right medication, noting any adverse effects you've experienced, and making any adjustments needed to ensure you are in a safe dosage. You will be required to go to an annual review as well as a routine health exam that includes pulse, blood pressure, and weight measurements.
Some patients may be content with their treatment and do not have to discuss their titration process further. If you need to discuss your titration plan or treatment plan further, it is possible that you'll be referred back to the private clinic that performed your initial evaluation. If this occurs, the titration appointment will be part of their consultation fee, and they will be given their medication through an individual prescription (see Consultation fees above). This can cost more than an NHS prescription as the pharmacy will charge for the medication.