Private ADHD Titration
There is a nationwide shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and the growing demand for ADHD medications worldwide.
Our service offers private ADHD adjustment instead of waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessments cost include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A thorough assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be carried out by a highly experienced consultant psychiatrist. This includes a complete medical history, and an assessment using the common ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
Following your assessment you will be advised that medication may be beneficial in your case. This will take place at your follow up appointment (which can be done in person, via video link or via phone). Your physician will explain to you the various options for medication and, if you decide to start on medication we will offer to titrate the dose to optimise the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This process may take a few weeks and requires gradually altering your child's medication until the appropriate balance is reached. It's not uncommon to have to adjust up to three different medicines before you can 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 they can let the doctors know whether the medication is working or causing adverse effects.
If you decide to return to NHS care, your medication will be provided with an individual prescription that you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fees). You must attend every six months to check your medication. This includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual checks are also required.
Follow-up appointments
After the assessment is complete and you are satisfied, you can schedule follow-up appointments with your psychiatrist. Usually titration of adhd medication will take place on zoom video call however in some instances it may be possible to schedule an audio-only consultation (again at an extra cost).
In this session, we'll discuss any treatment options we have and decide on a custom-made ADHD medication titration strategy. This will include a discussion and review of your medication dose, as well as any side effects you might be experiencing. The titration sessions cost PS150 for face-toface sessions and PS60 via telephone or video consultation. Costs for medication are extra and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The psychiatrist will also inquire with you about your family history and the impact your ADHD symptoms have on your life, including any issues with relationships you may be facing or any other mental health problems that you might be experiencing. This is due to the fact that ADHD is a genetic condition and it is essential that we assess any family history that might indicate whether you are at risk of developing the disorder.
It is important to be honest and open to the doctor during this assessment, as the information they receive will be used to determine if your ADHD fits the diagnostic criteria. This is an essential part of the process, as failing to do so could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis and consequently an inappropriate prescription of medication.
If you've decided you'd like to receive treatment for your ADHD, we will then schedule a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialize in this area. If you'd like to begin treatment right away it is possible to start treatment immediately following the diagnosis. Or you can wait for two weeks before considering the implications of the diagnosis and your options.
We recommend that if you are unsure about your preferences, you speak with your GP prior to scheduling your private examination. Some providers have different policies on whether or not they require an GP letter. Make sure that your GP accepts a Shared Care Agreement, which means you will be referred to them when you leave the clinic for medication prescription.
Medication
The medication process is an essential part of the journey for many people seeking an official ADHD diagnosis. It isn't always easy to obtain prescriptions from psychiatrists on the NHS. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs are often reluctant to refer patients on to specialist services.
Asking your GP to refer through Right to Choose is one way to avoid this (see psychiatry UK and ADHD 360). This means that you can select one that provides an assessment and titration. This can reduce your wait time by a significant amount and is more convenient if you're working and have a hectic schedule.
Once you have been referred through this route the doctor you choose will examine you and decide whether or not you require to be titrated on medication. You will be asked to fill in forms that are different for each provider, but the most common ones are self-report questionnaires and medical histories from childhood to adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor to determine if there are any reasons that suggest that you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications, in the event that they've been prescribed.
If you are titrated, the medication will consist of a mixture of stimulants and nonstimulant medicines. The combination will be carefully tested and monitored to find the most effective combination for you, taking into account any existing conditions you have. The titration process can be long and may require a number of additional appointments before the dose becomes stable.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments will depend on the type and amount of medication that you are taking. They could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. This will involve your clinician making sure that you are stable on the medication, recording any side effects you have had and making any necessary adjustments to ensure you are in a safe dosage. You are required to attend an annual review and a regular health check-up that includes blood pressure, pulse, and weight measurements.
Some patients may be content with their treatment and don't need to discuss their titration in more detail. If you need to discuss your titration plan or treatment plan more thoroughly it is likely that you will be referred back to the private doctor who made your initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration consultation will be included in their consultation fees and they will receive their medication on private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than prescriptions from the NHS since the pharmacy will charge you for the medication.