Private ADHD Titration

There is a national shortage of medications that treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing issues and increased global demand.

Our service offers private ADHD titration instead of waiting for NHS funding via Right to Choose. Our fees for assessments include the cost of one prescription.

Titration

A highly experienced psychiatrist consultant will conduct a thorough evaluation of your ADHD. This includes a thorough medical history, ADHD Medication Titration as well as an assessment using the standard ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.

After your evaluation, you will be informed if medication is considered to be beneficial in your particular situation. This will be discussed at your follow-up appointment (which can take place in person, by video link or by phone). Your doctor will explain the various options for medication and if you decide to start on medication we will suggest titrating the dose to optimise the balance of benefits and ADHD medication titration side effects for you.

This process can take several weeks. It involves adjusting the dosage of your child's medication gradually until the appropriate balance is reached. It is not uncommon to have to titrate as high as three different medicines before you can find the one that best suits your child's ADHD. It's important for parents to be involved in this titration process and keep an eye on their child's behaviour, so that they can inform the doctor if the medicine is helping or causing side effects.

If you decide to return to NHS care the medication you take will be issued with a private prescription which you'll need 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 medications. This includes blood pressure and pulse measurements. Annual checks are also required.

Follow-up appointments

Once the evaluation has been completed, you'll be able to make follow up appointments with your psychiatrist, if appropriate. Usually the appointment will take place on zoom video call however in some instances it is possible to do an audio only consultation (again at an additional cost).

At this point, we will discuss treatment options and decide on a custom-made ADHD medication titration plan. This will include an assessment of your medication dosage as well as a discussion of any possible negative side effects you may be experiencing. The cost of these titration sessions is PS150 for face-to-face sessions and PS60 for online or telephone video consultations. The pharmacy will be charged for any cost of medication.

The psychiatrist will ask you questions regarding your family history and the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your life and any mental health issues you may be experiencing. This is due to the fact that ADHD can be a genetic condition and it is important that we assess any family history that might indicate whether you are at risk of developing the disorder.

It is important to be honest and truthful with the clinician during this evaluation, as the information they gather will be used to determine whether your ADHD fits the diagnostic criteria. This is a vital part of the process, as failing to do so could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis and consequently an inappropriate prescription of medication.

If you've decided you would like to be treated for your ADHD We will set up a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialise in this area. If you'd like to start treatment immediately it is possible to start treatment immediately following the diagnosis. You can also take two weeks to think about the implications of the diagnosis and the options available to you.

We suggest that if you are unsure of your preferences, you speak with your GP prior to booking your private appointment. Certain providers have different policies on whether they require a GP letter. We also advise to confirm that your GP accepts a "Shared-Care Agreement which means that once discharged from the clinic you will be returned to them for the prescription for medication.

Medication

For many who wish to obtain a private diagnosis of ADHD medication is a key element of their treatment. It can be difficult to get a prescription from a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long, and GPs may be reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.

Asking your GP to refer you to Right to Choose is one way to avoid this (see psychiatry - UK and ADHD 360). This means you can select one that provides a private assessment and titration. This will help you to save time and also be more convenient, particularly if you have a busy schedule.

Once you have been identified as a candidate for this treatment, your chosen clinician will evaluate you and determine whether or not you're required to be adjusted on your medication. You will be asked to fill in forms that vary by provider but the most common ones are self-report forms and medical histories from childhood to adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor to determine if there are any reasons that suggest that you shouldn't be taking ADHD medication, even in the event that they've been prescribed.

If you are being titrated on medication, this will usually be a combination of stimulants and non-stimulant medications. The combination will be carefully tested and monitored to determine the most effective combination for you, taking into consideration any current conditions you suffer from. The titration procedure can be a lengthy process and may require several extra appointments before your dose is stable.

Depending on the type of medication you are taking, follow up appointments could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. This will include your physician checking to see if you are stable on the medication, recording any side effects you've experienced and making any necessary adjustments to ensure you are on a safe dosage. You will also be required to undergo a regular health check which can include blood pressure readings, pulse and weight as well as an annual review.

Some people may be satisfied with their medication and don't have to discuss their titration further. However, for those who do need further discussions about their titration and treatment plan it is possible that they will be referred back to the private clinic that conducted their initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration consultation will be included in the consultation fee, and they will be given their medication through private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than prescriptions from the NHS since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.