Private ADHD Titration

There is currently a national shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing issues and a growing global demand.

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

titration adhd adults

A highly experienced consultant psychiatrist will conduct a thorough assessment of your ADHD. This will include an examination of your medical history as well as an assessment using the typical ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.

After your examination After your assessment, you will be informed if medication would be beneficial for your situation. This will be discussed during your follow-up appointment (which can take place in person, via video link or over the phone). Your physician will explain to you the different options available for you to take medication and, if you decide to start on medication we will recommend titrating dosage to ensure the benefits/side effects balance for you.

This process can take several 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 finding the best one for your child's ADHD symptoms. It is essential that parents participate in the titration and be on the lookout for their child's behavior so that they can let the doctors know whether the medication is helping or causing adverse reactions.

Unless you have decided to return to NHS care, your medication will be given as an individual prescription 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 monitor your medications. This includes the measurement of pulse and blood pressure. Annual exams are also required.

Follow-up appointments

Once the assessment has been completed you will be able to book follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist as appropriate. The appointment is typically conducted via zoom video call. However, in certain instances, it could be possible to have an audio-only appointment to be scheduled (again with an additional cost).

We will then discuss the options for treatment and then decide on an individualised, bespoke ADHD medication titration. This will include a review and discussion of your dosage of medication, as well as any side effects that you might be experiencing. The cost of these titration appointments is PS150 for face-to-face sessions and PS60 for online or telephone video consultations. Medication costs are additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.

The psychiatrist will ask questions about your family history as well as the impact of your ADHD symptoms on your life, and any relationship problems or mental health issues that you might be suffering from. This is because ADHD is an inheritable condition, and it is crucial that we assess any family history that might indicate that you're at risk of developing the disorder.

It is crucial to be honest and truthful to the doctor during this assessment, as the information they gather will be used to determine whether your ADHD meets the diagnostic criteria. This is an important step because a wrong diagnosis could result in an inappropriate prescription of medication.

If you decide to be treated for ADHD we'll schedule an appointment to follow-up with a psychiatrist that is skilled in this area. If you'd like to begin treatment immediately you can start treatment immediately following the diagnosis. Or you can wait for two weeks before considering the implications of the diagnosis and your options.

If you're not sure what your preference is, we suggest that you talk with your GP before booking your private examination as some providers have different policies about whether they require a GP referral letter or not. We also advise to check if your GP accepts a 'Shared Care Agreement', which means that once you are discharged from the clinic, you will be sent back to them to get the prescription for medication.

Medication

For many people who want a private diagnosis of ADHD medication is a crucial element of their treatment. It isn't easy to obtain prescriptions from psychiatrists on the NHS. NHS waiting lists are notoriously how long does adhd titration take and GPs may be reluctant to refer 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 choose a service that provides an assessment on your own and the titration adhd medications. This will help you reduce time and be more convenient, especially if you have a busy schedule.

If you are identified as a candidate for this treatment, your chosen clinician will evaluate you and determine whether or not you require to be adjusted on your medication. You will be asked to fill out forms that are different for each provider, but the most important ones are self-report questionnaires as well as medical histories from childhood and adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor to determine if there are reasons that suggest you shouldn't take ADHD medications, in the event that they've been prescribed.

If you are being titrated, the medication will be a combination stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. These will be carefully trialled and monitored to determine the most effective combination for you, taking into account any medical conditions you may have. The process of titration can be lengthy and may need a few extra appointments before you are stable on your dose.

Depending on the type of medication you're taking, follow-up appointments can be scheduled either monthly or quarterly. This will include your physician making sure that you are taking the correct medication, noting any adverse effects you've experienced and making any adjustments needed to ensure that you remain on a safe dosage. You'll also be required to attend a routine health check that may include blood pressure, pulse and weight readings and an annual review.

Some people may be satisfied with their medication, and therefore do not need to discuss their titration further. If you're required to discuss your titration plan or treatment plan in more detail it is likely that you will be referred back to the private clinic who performed your initial assessment. In this scenario the titration is included in the consultation cost. The medication will then be provided through an individual prescription. This can cost more than an NHS prescription since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.