Private ADHD Titration
There is currently a national shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due both to manufacturing issues and an increase in demand worldwide.
Our service provides private ADHD adjustment instead of waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessments are free and include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A highly experienced psychiatrist consultant will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your ADHD. This includes a medical history and an assessment using the typical ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.
After your evaluation, you will be informed if medication would be beneficial for your specific situation. This will happen during your follow-up appointment (which can be done in person, via video link or by telephone). Your physician will explain to you what medication options are available and if you decide to begin taking medication, we will offer to titrate the dose to optimise the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This process could take a few weeks, and involves adjusting your child's medication gradually until the appropriate balance is reached. It's not uncommon to have to titrate two or three medicines before finding the one that is best for your child's ADHD symptoms. It is essential that parents take part in the titration process and be aware of their child's behavior so they can inform the doctor whether the medication is helping or causing adverse effects.
If you decide to go back to NHS treatment, you will receive an individual prescription for your medication. You will have to pay at the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation cost. You'll be required to attend six monthly appointments to monitor your medication, which includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual reviews are also required.
Follow-up appointments
Once the assessment is completed and you are satisfied, you can schedule follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist. The appointment is typically conducted by video conference using zoom. In some cases, it may be possible to have an audio-only appointment to be scheduled (again with an additional cost).
We will then go over treatment options and decide on an individualised, bespoke ADHD medication titration. This will include a discussion and review of your medication dosage, as well as any side effects 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. The pharmacy will be charged for any medication costs.
The psychiatrist will ask you questions regarding your family history, the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your daily life and any mental health issues that you might be suffering from. ADHD is a genetic condition, which is why it's crucial to assess your family history to determine if you're at chance of developing this condition.
During the assessment, it is crucial that you are truthful and open with the doctor who will use the information you provide to determine if you have the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is a vital part of the process, as failing to do so could result in an incorrect diagnosis and consequently an inappropriate prescription of medication.
If you decide to receive treatment for ADHD we'll schedule an appointment to follow-up with a psychiatrist who is specialized in this area. If you'd like to begin treatment right away, you can do this at the time of diagnosis. Or you can wait for two weeks before considering the implications of the diagnosis and what options you have.
We suggest that if you are unsure of your preferences, you speak with your GP prior to scheduling your private examination. Some providers have different policies on whether or not they require a GP letter. We also advise to confirm that your GP accepts a 'Shared Care Agreement that means that once you are discharged from the clinic, you will be referred back to them for the prescription for medication.
Medication
For many people who seek an official diagnosis of ADHD treatment is an important element of their treatment. Finding an appointment with an NHS psychiatrist can be a hassle and time-consuming. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long and GPs might 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 pick a provider that offers a private assessment service and titration. This can help you save time and be more convenient, particularly if you have a busy work schedule.
If you are recommended, your physician will assess you to determine if you require medication titration. You will be asked to fill in forms that differ by doctor but the most important ones are self-report questionnaires and medical histories from childhood and adulthood. These will help your clinician determine any issues that could indicate that you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications if they are prescribed.
If you are on a titration medication, it is likely to consist of stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. The combination will be carefully tested and monitored to find the most suitable combination for you, taking into consideration any existing conditions you have. The titration procedure can be lengthy and may require several extra appointments before you are stable.
Depending on Additional Info of medication you're taking, follow up appointments can be scheduled either monthly or quarterly. This will involve your clinician checking that you are taking the correct medication, recording any side effects you've experienced, and making any adjustments needed to ensure you are on a safe dosage. You will also be required to attend a routine health check that may include blood pressure and pulse readings, as well as weight and weight measurements and an annual review.
Some people may be satisfied with their treatment and don't need to discuss their titration further. If you're looking to discuss your titration plan or treatment plan further it is possible that you will be referred back to the private clinic who made your 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 could cost more than a prescription from the NHS because the pharmacy will charge you for the medication.