Private ADHD Titration

There is a nationwide shortage of medication that helps to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing issues and increased global demand.

Our service can provide private ADHD treatment as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessment fees cover the cost of a single prescription.

Titration

A comprehensive assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be conducted with an experienced consultant Psychiatrist. This will include a medical history and an assessment using the standard ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.

After your examination You will be advised if medication would be beneficial for your particular situation. This will be discussed during your follow-up appointment (which can be scheduled in person, via video link or by telephone). Your clinician will discuss the different options for medication available. If you decide to start taking medication, we will offer you to titrate your dose to maximize the benefits/side effects balance for you.

This process could take several weeks, and it involves gradually altering your child's medication until the appropriate balance is reached. It is not unusual to need to adjust two or three medicines before determining the most effective one for your child's ADHD symptoms. Parents must be involved in this titration process, and keep an watchful eye on their child's behavior so that they can let the doctor know if the medicine is helping or causing side effects.

Unless you have decided to return to NHS care the medication you take will be given as a prescription from a private pharmacy that you'll need to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in the consultation fee). You must attend six-monthly appointments to check your medication. This includes blood pressure and pulse measurements. Annual exams are also required.

Follow-up appointments

Once the evaluation has been completed, you'll be able to book appointment with your psychiatrist, if necessary. Typically, the appointment will take place through a video call using zoom, although in certain cases it may be possible to do an audio only consultation (again at an additional cost).

At this point we will discuss treatment options and agree upon a bespoke individualised ADHD medication titration plan. This will include a discussion and review of your medication dose, as well as any side effects you might be experiencing. These titrations cost PS150 for face-to-face sessions and PS60 via telephone or video consultation. The pharmacy will charge you for any medication costs.

The psychiatrist will ask questions regarding your family history as well as the impact of your ADHD symptoms on your daily life and any mental health issues you may be experiencing. ADHD can be a genetic condition, and it's vital to look into your family's history in order to determine if you are at a higher risk of developing this disorder.

It is important that you are honest and open with your doctor during this evaluation, as the information they get will be used to determine whether your ADHD is in line with the diagnostic criteria. This is an important step, as the wrong diagnosis can lead to inappropriate medication prescription.

If you've 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 field. This can be done in the wake of your diagnosis if want to start 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 what your preference is it is recommended that you speak to your GP prior to scheduling your private appointment as certain providers have different policies about whether they require the submission of a GP referral letter or not. Find out if your GP accepts the Shared Care Agreement, which means that you will be referred to them when you leave the clinic to get a prescriptions for medication.

Medication

Medication is an integral part of the journey for many people who are seeking an official ADHD diagnosis. Getting a prescription from an NHS psychiatrist can be a hassle and long-winded. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously how long does adhd titration take and GPs might be reluctant to refer their patients to specialist services.

One method to circumvent this is to request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). You can select a provider who offers a private assessment service and the titration adhd meds. This will cut down your waiting time considerably and can be more convenient if you are working and have a full schedule.

Once you have been identified as a candidate for this treatment the doctor you choose will evaluate you and determine whether or not you need to be monitored for a dose of medication. You'll have to complete forms that are different for each provider however the most commonly used ones are self-reporting forms and medical histories going back to childhood and adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor to determine if there are any circumstances that indicate that you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications, when they've been prescribed.

If you are being titrated on medication, this will usually include a mix of stimulants and non-stimulant medications. These will be carefully trialled and monitored to find the most suitable combination for you, taking into account any existing conditions you have. The titration can be a lengthy process and may require a number of additional appointments before the dose becomes stable.

The frequency of your follow-up appointments is contingent on the type and quantity of medication you are taking. They can be scheduled for monthly or quarterly. Your physician will make sure whether you are stable on the medication, record any side effects you've experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you remain on a dose that is safe. You'll also have to attend a routine health check which can include blood pressure and pulse readings, as well as weight and weight measurements as well as an annual check-up.

Some people might be satisfied with their treatment and don't require discussing their titration process adhd further. However, for those who require further discussion about their titration and treatment plans, it is possible that they will be passed back to the same 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 a private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than prescriptions from the NHS, as the pharmacy will charge for the medication.