Private ADHD Titration

There is a national shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and an increase in demand worldwide.

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

Titration

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

After your evaluation, you will be advised if medication is considered to be beneficial for your situation. The discussion will take place at your follow-up appointment (which may be scheduled in person, by video link or over the phone). Your physician will explain to you the different options available for you to take medication and if you decide to begin taking medication, we will offer to titrate the dose to maximize 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 right balance is achieved. It's not uncommon to to titrate as high as three different medications until you discover the one that best fits your child's ADHD. Parents must take part in this process of titration and keep an eye on their child's behavior, so that they can inform the doctor if the medicine is helping or causing side effects.

If you decide to return to NHS treatment you will receive an individual prescription for your medication. You will have to pay for your prescription at the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation cost. You must attend six-monthly appointments to monitor your medications. This includes pulse and blood pressure measurements. Annual reviews are also required.

Follow-up appointments

Once the assessment has been completed, you'll be able to book appointment with the psychiatrist, as necessary. Typically, the appointment will take place through a video call using zoom however in some instances it is possible to schedule an audio only consultation (again at an additional cost).

At this point we will discuss treatment options and come up with a unique ADHD medication titration program. This will include a review of your medication dose and a discussion of any possible side effects you might be experiencing. These titration sessions cost PS150 for face-to-face sessions, and PS60 by video or phone consultation. The pharmacy will be charged steps for titration any medication costs.

The psychiatrist will ask you questions regarding your family history as well as the impact of your ADHD symptoms on your life and any relationship problems or mental health issues you may be experiencing. This is because ADHD is a genetic disorder and it is crucial that we assess any family history that might indicate that you're at risk of developing the disorder.

During the assessment, it is vital that you are truthful and open with the doctor who will be using the information you provide to determine if you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is a vital part of the process, because if you don't do it, it could result in an incorrect diagnosis, and thus an incorrect prescribing of medication.

If you decide to seek treatment for ADHD We'll set up an appointment for a follow-up visit with a psychiatrist that is skilled in this area. If you want to start treatment immediately, you can do this immediately following the diagnosis. You can also wait for two weeks before considering the implications of the diagnosis and your options.

We suggest that if you are unsure of your preferences, talk to your GP prior to booking your private appointment. Some providers have different policies on whether they require the submission of 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 sent back to them to get the prescription for the medication.

Medication

Medication is a key element of the process for many people looking for a private ADHD diagnosis. Getting prescriptions from an NHS psychiatrist can be a challenge and time-consuming. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long and GPs are often reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.

Inquiring your GP to refer through Right to Choose is one way to avoid this (see psychiatry - UK and ADHD 360). You can pick a provider who offers an assessment that is private and the titration. This can cut down on wait time significantly and is more convenient if you are working and have a hectic schedule.

After you've been recommended by this method titration your chosen doctor will examine you and decide whether or not you're required to be adjusted on your medication. You will be asked to fill in forms that differ by doctor but the main ones are self-report questionnaires as well as medical histories from childhood to adulthood. They will help your physician identify any factors that might suggest you should not take ADHD medications if they're prescribed.

If you are being titrated, the medication will consist of a mixture of stimulants and nonstimulant medicines. These will be carefully assessed and monitored to determine the right combination for you. The titration process may be lengthy and may need some additional appointments before you are stable on your dosage.

Depending on the kind of medication you are taking, follow-up appointments could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. Your physician will make sure whether you are stable on the medication, document any adverse reactions you have experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you remain on a dose that is safe. You'll also have to undergo a regular health check which can include blood pressure readings, pulse and weight as well as an annual check-up.

For some, it may be that they are content with their medication and don't need a further discussion about their titration. If you're required to discuss your titration or treatment plan more thoroughly it is possible that you'll be referred back to the private clinic that performed your initial evaluation. If this happens, the titration appointment will be included in their consultation fee and they will be given their medication through a private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than prescriptions from the NHS, as the pharmacy will charge for the medication.