Private ADHD Titration

There is currently a nationwide shortage of medication that helps to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due both to manufacturing problems as well as an increase in demand worldwide.

Our service can offer 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 thorough assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be carried out by a highly experienced consultant Psychiatrist. This will include a medical history and an assessment using the common ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.

After your evaluation, you will be advised if medication is considered to be beneficial in your particular situation. The discussion will take place at your follow-up appointment (which could be in person, via video link, or over the phone). Your doctor will explain the various options for medication and if you decide to start on medication we will suggest titrating medication dosage to ensure the balance of benefits and side effects for you.

This process can take several weeks and involves adjusting the dosage of your child's medication gradually until the proper balance is reached. It is not uncommon to have to adjust up to three different medicines before you can find the one that is most suitable for your child's ADHD. It's important for parents to be involved in this titration process and keep a close eye on their child's behavior, so that they can let the doctor know whether the medication is helping or causing side effects.

Unless you have decided to return to NHS care and have decided to return to NHS care, your medication will be issued with a prescription from a private pharmacy that you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fee). You will be required to attend six monthly appointments to monitor your medication - this includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual reviews are also mandatory.

Follow-up appointments

Once the assessment has been completed you will be able to schedule appointment with the psychiatrist, as appropriate. The appointment is typically conducted through a zoom video call. In some cases, it may be possible for an audio-only appointment to be scheduled (again at an additional cost).

In this session, we'll discuss treatment options and agree upon a bespoke individualised ADHD medication titration strategy. This will include a review and discussion of your medication dose and any 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 be charged for any cost of medication.

The doctor will also ask you about your family background 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 because ADHD can be an inheritable condition, and it is crucial that we assess any family history that may indicate that you're at risk of developing the disorder.

It is important that you are honest and transparent with the clinician during this assessment, as the information they gather will be used to determine whether your ADHD is in line with the diagnostic criteria. This is an important step because an incorrect diagnosis could result in an inappropriate prescription of medication.

If you've decided that you would like to receive treatment for your ADHD, we will then set up a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialise in this area. If you want to start treatment immediately you can start treatment when you are diagnosed. You can also take for two weeks before considering the implications of the diagnosis and your options.

We suggest that if you are unsure about your preferences, you speak with your GP prior to booking your private examination. Some providers have different policies on whether or not they require the submission of a 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 prescriptions for medication.

Medication

For many people who seek an individual diagnosis of ADHD medication is an important part of their journey. It can be difficult to get prescriptions from psychiatrists on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be extremely long, and GPs may 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 provides an assessment that is private and the titration. This will help you reduce time and be more convenient, particularly in the event of a hectic schedule.

After you've been identified as a candidate for this treatment, Adhd medication titration your chosen clinician will examine you and decide whether or not you're required to be monitored for a dose of medication. You will be asked to fill out forms that vary by provider but the most important ones are self-report questionnaires as well as medical histories from childhood and adulthood. These forms will allow your doctor to determine if there are any reasons that suggest you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications, if they have been prescribed.

If you are titrated, the medication will consist of stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. These will be thoroughly examined and monitored to determine the best combination for you. The process of titration can be long and could require some additional appointments before you are stable on your dose.

Based on the type of medication you're taking, follow up appointments will be either monthly or quarterly. This will include your physician making sure that you are on the right medication, noting any adverse effects you've experienced, and making any adjustments needed to ensure that you're in a safe dosage. You are required to attend an annual review and a routine health examination which includes blood pressure, pulse, and weight measurements.

Some people may be satisfied with their medication, and don't require discussing their titration process further. However, for those who do need further discussions about the titration process and treatment plan, it's possible that they will be passed back to the same private clinic that conducted their initial assessment. If this happens, the titration appointment will be included in the consultation fee and they will receive their medication via an individual prescription (see Consultation fees above). This can cost more than a prescription from the NHS because the pharmacy will charge for the medication.