Private ADHD Titration

There is a current national shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and increased global demand.

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

Titration

A comprehensive assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be carried out by a highly experienced consultant Psychiatrist. This includes a thorough medical history, and an evaluation using the common ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.

After your examination, you will be advised if medication is considered to be beneficial for your situation. This will be discussed during your follow-up appointment (which can be done in person by video link, in person or via phone). Your clinician will discuss the various medication options available. If you decide to start taking medication, we will help you the opportunity to increase your dosage to optimize the benefits/side-effects balance for you.

This process can take several weeks, and involves gradually adjusting your child's dosage until the proper balance has been achieved. It's not uncommon to need to titrate three or four medications before finding the best one for your child's ADHD symptoms. It's important for parents to take part in this process of titration period adhd and keep a close eye on their child's behaviour to let the doctor know whether the medication is working or causing adverse effects.

Unless you have decided to return to NHS treatment the medication you take will be issued with an individual prescription that you will need to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fees). You'll be required to 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 completed you will be able to make follow-up appointments with your psychiatrist, if necessary. The appointment usually takes place via a zoom video call, although in certain cases it is possible to have an audio only consultation (again at an extra cost).

We will then discuss treatment options and choose a bespoke, individualised ADHD medication adjustment. This will include a review of your medication dosage and a discussion around any negative side effects you may be experiencing. The cost of these titration consultations is PS150 for face-to-face sessions and PS60 for online or phone video consultations. The pharmacy will charge you for any medication costs.

The psychiatrist will also inquire with you about your family history and the impact that your ADHD symptoms can have on your life, including any issues with relationships you may be experiencing or other mental health problems that you might be experiencing. This is because ADHD is a genetic disorder and it is essential to look into any family history that could indicate that you're at risk of developing the disorder.

During this examination, it is crucial that you are honest and open with the doctor in the sense that they will use the information you provide to determine whether you have the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is a crucial step, as a wrong diagnosis could lead to inappropriate medication prescription.

If you decide to receive treatment for ADHD, we'll arrange a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist who is specialized in this field. If you'd like to start treatment immediately, you can do this at the time of diagnosis. Or you can wait two weeks to think about the implications of the diagnosis and the options available to you.

We suggest that if are unsure about your preferences, you speak to your GP prior to scheduling your private assessment. Certain providers have different policies on whether or not they require a GP letter. We also suggest to confirm that 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

For many who wish to obtain an individual diagnosis of ADHD treatment is a crucial part of their journey. Finding an appointment with an NHS psychiatrist can be a hassle and lengthy. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs can be reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.

Requesting your GP to refer through Right to Choose is one way to avoid this (see psychiatry UK and ADHD 360). You can choose a service that offers an assessment on your own and the titration. This will help you to save time and also be more convenient, especially when you are on a tight work schedule.

If you are diagnosed, your doctor will evaluate you to determine if need medication adjustment. You will be asked to fill in forms that differ by doctor but the most common ones are self-report questionnaires and medical histories from childhood and 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 be a combination stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. These will be carefully trialled and monitored to find the most effective combination for you, taking into consideration any medical conditions you may have. The titration can be long and may require a number of additional appointments before your dose is stable.

Depending on the type of medication you are taking, follow-up appointments will be either monthly or quarterly. This will include your physician checking to see if you are on the right medication, recording any side effects you have had and making any necessary adjustments to ensure you are on a safe dosage. You'll also have to attend a routine health check, which could include blood pressure and pulse readings, as well as weight and weight measurements and an annual review.

Some patients may be content with their medication and therefore do not have to discuss their titration adhd adults in more detail. If you're looking to discuss your titration or treatment plan in more detail it is possible that you will be referred back to the private clinic who performed your initial assessment. In this scenario the titration adhd adults will be included in the consultation cost. The medication will then be administered via the private prescription. This can cost more than an NHS prescription since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.