Private ADHD Titration

There is currently a nationwide shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and the growing demand for ADHD medications worldwide.

Our service can provide private ADHD testing as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our fees for assessments include the cost of one prescription.

Titration

A highly experienced consultant psychiatrist will conduct a thorough assessment of your ADHD. This includes a complete medical history and an assessment using the standard ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.

After your assessment You will be advised whether medication is appropriate for your particular situation. The discussion will take place at your follow-up appointment (which may be scheduled in person, via video link, or over the phone). Your clinician will explain what medication options are available and, if you choose to begin taking medication, we will suggest titrating the dose to optimise the balance of benefits and side effects for you.

This process could take several weeks and it involves gradually altering your child's medication until the proper balance is achieved. It is not unusual to need to adjust several times before finding the one that is best for your child's ADHD symptoms. It is crucial that parents are involved in the titration for adhd process and be on the lookout for their child's behavior so that they can inform the doctor if the medication is helping or causing adverse reactions.

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

Follow-up appointments

After the assessment is completed, you'll be able to schedule appointment with the psychiatrist, as appropriate. The appointment will usually be conducted by video conference using zoom. However, in certain circumstances, it might be possible to have an audio-only appointment to be conducted (again with an additional cost).

In this session, we'll discuss any treatment options we have and decide on a custom-made ADHD medication titration program. This will include a review of your medication dosage as well as an examination of any adverse effects you may be experiencing. The cost of these titration appointments is PS150 for face to face sessions and PS60 for telephone or online video consultations. The cost of medication is additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.

The doctor will also ask you about your family background and the impact your ADHD symptoms can have on your life, including any issues with relationships you may be experiencing or other mental health problems that you might be experiencing. ADHD can be a genetic condition, which is why it's crucial to look into your family's history to determine if you're at a higher chance of developing this disorder.

During the assessment, it is vital that you are truthful and honest with the clinician in the sense that they will use the information you provide to determine whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is a crucial step, since the wrong diagnosis can result in a prescription for medication that is not appropriate.

If you decide to seek treatment for ADHD, we'll arrange a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist that is skilled in this field. If you'd like to start treatment immediately you can start treatment immediately following the diagnosis. You can also take two weeks to think about the implications of the diagnosis and what options you have.

We recommend that if you are unsure about your preferences, you talk with your GP prior to booking your private appointment. Certain providers have different guidelines regarding whether they require the submission of a GP letter. We also suggest to confirm that your GP accepts a 'Shared Care Agreement that means that after you have been discharged from the clinic you will be returned to them for the prescription for medication.

Medication

For many people who seek an official diagnosis of ADHD, medication is a key part of their journey. Getting a prescription from an NHS psychiatrist can be difficult and time-consuming. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs may be reluctant to refer patients on to specialist services.

One method to avoid this is to ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). This means that you can select a provider that offers a private assessment and titration service. This can reduce your wait time considerably and can be more convenient if you are working and have a hectic schedule.

If you are diagnosed, your doctor will examine you to determine if require medication titration. You will need to fill out forms that vary by doctor but the most frequent ones are self-reporting questionnaires and medical histories dating back to childhood and adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor to determine if there are reasons that suggest you shouldn't take ADHD medication, when they've been prescribed.

If you are being titrated the medication will consist of a mixture of stimulants and nonstimulant medicines. The combination will be carefully tested and monitored to find the most effective combination for you, taking into consideration any current conditions you suffer from. The process of titration can be long and could require a few extra appointments before you're stable on your dose.

The frequency of your follow-up appointments is contingent on the type and amount of medication that you are taking. They can be monthly or quarterly. Your clinician will check whether you are stable on the medication, record any adverse reactions you've experienced, and make any needed adjustments to ensure that you remain on a safe dosage. You will be required to go to an annual review as well as a regular health check-up that includes blood pressure, pulse, and weight measurements.

Some patients may be content with their medication and therefore do not require discussing their titration process further. If you're required to discuss your titration plan or treatment plan further it is likely that you'll be sent to the private clinic who made your initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration appointment will be included in their consultation fee, and they will receive their medication on private titration adhd prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than an NHS prescription since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.