Private ADHD Titration
There is currently a nationwide shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due both to manufacturing problems and an increased demand in the world.
Our service offers private ADHD treatment instead of waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessments cost include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A comprehensive assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be carried out by a highly experienced consultant Psychiatrist. This includes a complete medical history, as well as an assessment using the common ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
After your examination, you will be informed whether medication is appropriate for your specific situation. This will be discussed at your follow-up appointment (which can take place in person, via video link or by phone). Your doctor will explain the various options for medication and, if you decide to start on medication we will offer to titrate the dose to optimise the balance of benefits and side effects for you.
This process may take several weeks and requires gradually altering your child’s medication until the right balance is achieved. It is not unusual to need to titrate three or four medications 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 that they can let the doctors know if 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 be required to pay at the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation cost. You must attend regular appointments every six months to monitor your medication. This includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual reviews are also required.
Follow-up appointments
Once the evaluation has been completed, you'll be able to schedule follow up appointments with your psychiatrist, if appropriate. Usually titration meaning ADHD will take place via a zoom video call, although in certain cases it is possible to have an audio-only consultation (again at an extra cost).
At this point, we will discuss any treatment options and come up with a unique ADHD medication titration program. This will include a discussion and review of your medication dosage and any side effects that you may be experiencing. These titrations cost PS150 for face-toface sessions and PS60 via telephone or video consultation. The pharmacy will charge you for any medication costs.
The psychiatrist will also inquire with you about your family background and the impact your ADHD symptoms can have on your life, as well as any relationship issues you might be having or other mental health problems that you may be experiencing. ADHD can be a hereditary condition, so it's important to assess your family history in order to determine if you're at a higher chance of developing this condition.
It is essential that you are honest and truthful with the clinician during this assessment, as the information they get will be used to determine whether your ADHD meets the diagnostic criteria. This is a crucial step, as the wrong diagnosis can result in a prescription for medication that is not appropriate.
If you've decided you'd like to receive treatment for your ADHD, we will then schedule a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialise in this area. This can be scheduled at the time of your diagnosis if are eager to begin treatment right away or within two weeks if you would like more time to think about the implications of your diagnosis and the alternatives that are available to you.
If you're not sure which one you prefer, we suggest that you talk to your GP before booking your private appointment as certain providers have different rules regarding whether they require an GP referral letter or not. Make sure that your GP accepts a Shared Care Agreement, which means that you will be referred to them once you leave the clinic for prescription medication.
Medication
For many people who want an official diagnosis of ADHD, medication is an important element of their treatment. It can be difficult to get a prescription from a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs can be reluctant to refer patients on 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 who offers an assessment on your own and titration. This will help you to save time and also be more convenient, particularly if you have a busy schedule.
After you have been referred, your clinician will evaluate you to determine if require medication adjustment. You'll need to complete forms that vary by doctor, but the most common ones are self-reporting forms and medical histories dating back to childhood and adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor to determine if there are any circumstances that indicate you shouldn't take ADHD medication, if they have been prescribed.
If you are on a titration medication, this will usually consist of stimulants and non-stimulant medications. They will be assessed and monitored to determine the right combination for you. The titration can be long and may require several extra appointments before your dose is stable.
Depending on the kind of medication you are taking, follow-up appointments can be scheduled either monthly or quarterly. Your clinician will check whether you are stable on the medication, document any side effects that you've experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you remain on a safe dose. You'll also be required to undergo a regular health check, which could include blood pressure readings, pulse and weight and an annual check-up.
Some patients may be content with their medication and don't need to discuss their titration further. If you're required to discuss your titration or treatment plan further it is possible that you will be referred back to the private doctor that performed your initial evaluation. If this occurs, the titration appointment will be included in the consultation fee, and they will be given their medication on a private prescription (see Consultation fees above). It could cost more than an NHS prescription because the pharmacy will charge for the medication.