Private ADHD TitrationThere is a national shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing issues and an increased global demand.
Our service is able to offer private ADHD testing as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessment fees include the cost of a single prescription.
Titration
A highly experienced consultant psychiatrist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your ADHD. This will include an examination of your medical history as well as an assessment using the standard ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.
Following your assessment you will be informed whether medication may be beneficial in your particular situation. This will be discussed at your follow-up appointment (which could be in person, via video link or by phone). Your doctor will go over the various medication options available. If you decide to begin medication, we will help you the option of titrating your dose to maximize the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This is a process which could take a few weeks, and requires adjusting your child's dosage slowly until the right balance is reached. It is not uncommon to have to titrate up to three different medicines before you find the one that best suits your child's ADHD. Parents must participate in this titration process, and keep an watchful eye on their child's behavior, so that they can let the doctor know whether the medication is helping or causing side effects.
If you do not decide to return to NHS care the medication you take will be given as an individual prescription that you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fee). You must attend six-monthly appointments to monitor your medications. This includes pulse and blood pressure measurements. Annual exams are also required.
Follow-up appointments
After the assessment is complete and you are satisfied, you can schedule follow-up appointments with your psychiatrist. The appointment usually takes place through a video call using zoom however in some instances it may be possible to do an audio only consultation (again at an extra cost).
We will then discuss the options for treatment and then decide on a bespoke, individualised ADHD medication titration. This will include a review of your medication dose and a discussion of any possible adverse effects you may be experiencing. The cost for these titration consultations is PS150 for face-to face sessions and PS60 for telephone or online video consultations. Medication costs are additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The psychiatrist will ask you questions about your family history as well as the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your daily life and any relationship problems or mental health issues you might be experiencing. ADHD can be a hereditary condition, and it's vital to assess your family history in order to determine if you're at a higher risk of developing this disorder.
It is important to be honest and truthful with the clinician during the assessment, since the information they gather will be used to determine if your ADHD is in line with the diagnostic criteria. This is an important step, as a wrong diagnosis could result in a prescription for medication that is not appropriate.
If you've decided that you would like to receive treatment for your ADHD We will schedule a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists that specialize in this field. If you'd like to start treatment immediately, you can do this immediately following the diagnosis. You can also take two weeks to consider the implications of the diagnosis and the options available to you.
We suggest that if you are unsure about your preferences, you speak to your GP prior to scheduling your private appointment. Some providers have different guidelines regarding whether they require a GP letter. We also recommend to check if your GP accepts a "Shared-Care Agreement that means that after you have been discharged from the clinic you will be referred back to them for the prescription for the medication.
Medication
For many people who want an individual diagnosis of ADHD, medication is a key part of their journey. It isn't always easy to obtain prescriptions from psychiatrists on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be extremely long and GPs might be reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.
Inquiring your GP to refer you to Right to Choose is one way to avoid this (see psychiatry UK and ADHD 360). This means that you can select one that provides a private assessment and titration. This can help you reduce time and be more convenient, particularly when you are on a tight work schedule.
Once you've been recommended, your physician will evaluate you to determine if you require medication
titration adhd adults. You will need to fill out forms that vary by doctor but the most frequent ones are self-reporting questionnaires and medical histories that go to your childhood and into adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor identify any factors that might mean you shouldn't take ADHD medications if they're prescribed.
If you are being titrated the medication will consist of a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. The combination will be carefully tested and monitored to find the most effective combination for you, taking into account any current conditions you suffer from. The titration can be long and may require a number of additional appointments before the dose becomes stable.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments will be contingent on the type and amount of medication that you are taking. They can be scheduled for monthly or quarterly. This will include your physician making sure that you are taking the correct medication, recording any side effects you've experienced and making any necessary adjustments to ensure that you're on a dose that is safe. You will also be required to attend a regular health check, which could include blood pressure, pulse and weight readings as well as an annual check-up.
For some it could be that they are satisfied with their medication and don't require an additional discussion regarding their titration. However, for those who require further discussions regarding their titration and treatment plans, it's possible that they will be passed back to the private clinic that made their initial assessment. In this scenario the titration is included in the consultation fee. The medication will then be given via an individual prescription. It could cost more than an NHS prescription as the pharmacy will charge for the medication.