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 is private ADHD treatment instead of waiting for NHS funding via Right to Choose. Our assessment fees include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A highly experienced consultant psychiatrist will conduct a thorough assessment of your ADHD. This includes a thorough medical history, and an assessment using the standard ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
After your examination, you will be informed if medication is considered to be beneficial for your situation. The discussion will take place at your follow-up appointment (which may be scheduled in person, via video link or by phone). Your doctor will explain what medication options are available and, if you decide to begin taking medication, we will recommend titrating dosage to ensure the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This is a process which can take several weeks and requires adjusting your child's dosage gradually until the proper balance is achieved. It is not uncommon to to titrate as high as three different medications before you find the one that is most suitable for your child's ADHD. It is crucial that parents are involved in the titration process and keep an eye out for their child's behavior so they can inform the doctor whether the medication is working or causing adverse effects.
If you decide to return to NHS care the medication you take will be given as an individual prescription that you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fee). You must attend every six months to check your medication. This includes pulse and blood pressure readings. titration ADHD are also required.
Follow-up appointments
After the assessment is completed, you'll be able to make follow-up appointments with your psychiatrist, if appropriate. Usually the appointment will take place via a zoom video call, although in certain cases it is possible to schedule an audio-only consultation (again at an additional cost).
We will then go over treatment options and choose an individualised, bespoke ADHD medication titration. This will include an assessment of your medication dosage as well as an examination of any adverse effects you may be experiencing. The cost of these titration sessions is PS150 for face to face sessions and PS60 for online or phone video consultations. The pharmacy will be charged for any cost of medication.
The doctor will also ask you about your family history and the impact that your ADHD symptoms impact your life, as well as any relationship issues you might be having or other mental health issues you may be experiencing. This is due to the fact that ADHD is a genetic condition and it is crucial to examine any family history that might indicate whether you are at risk of developing the disorder.
It is essential to be honest and open with the clinician during this assessment, as the information they gather will be used to determine if your ADHD is in line with the diagnostic criteria. This is a crucial step, as the wrong diagnosis can result in an inappropriate prescription of medication.
If you have decided that you'd like to receive treatment for your ADHD, we will then arrange a follow up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialize in this area. This can be done in the wake of your diagnosis if you are keen to begin treatment right away, or within two weeks if you want to consider the implications of your diagnosis and the alternatives that are available to you.
We recommend that if you are unsure about your preferences, you talk to your GP prior to booking your private appointment. Some providers have different guidelines regarding whether or not they require a GP letter. We also recommend to check if your GP accepts a "Shared Care Agreement that means that after you have been discharged from the clinic you will be referred back to them for the prescription for the medication.
Medication
For many people who want a private diagnosis of ADHD, medication is a crucial part of their journey. It isn't easy to obtain a prescription from a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long and GPs might be reluctant to refer their patients to specialist services.
One method to avoid this is to request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). You can select a provider that offers an assessment that is private and titration. This will cut down your waiting time significantly and is more convenient if you're working and have a full schedule.
Once you have been recommended by this method, your chosen clinician will examine you and decide whether or not you're required to be titrated on medication. You will be asked to fill in forms that differ by doctor but the most common ones are self-report questionnaires as well as medical histories from childhood to adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor identify any factors that might suggest you should not take ADHD medications if they're prescribed.
If you are being titrated on medication, it will typically consist of non-stimulant and stimulant medications. These will be thoroughly assessed and monitored to determine the right combination for you. The titration process may be lengthy and may need a few extra appointments before you're able to stay on your dose.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments is contingent on the type and quantity of medication that you are taking. They could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. This will include your physician checking to see if you are taking the correct medication, noting any adverse effects you've experienced, and making any adjustments needed to ensure you are on a dose that is safe. You'll also be required to attend a regular health check, which could include blood pressure and pulse readings, as well as weight and weight measurements and an annual review.
For some it could be because they are content with their medication and don't require any further discussion on their titration. For those who require further discussions regarding the titration process and treatment plan, it's possible to be passed back to the same private clinic that conducted their initial assessment. In this case the titration is included in the consultation fee. The medication will then be given via a private prescription. This could cost more than prescriptions from the NHS, as the pharmacy will charge you for the medication.