Private ADHD Titration

There is currently a nationwide shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and an increased global demand.

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 psychiatrist consultant will conduct a thorough evaluation of your ADHD. This includes a complete medical history, as well as an evaluation using the common ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.

After your examination You will be advised if medication would be beneficial for your particular situation. This will happen at your follow up appointment (which could be in person, via video link or by telephone). Your doctor will explain the different options available for you to take medication and, if you decide to start on medication we will offer to titrate dosage to ensure the benefits/side effects balance for you.

This process could take several weeks and involves gradually adjusting your child's dosage until the proper balance has been achieved. It is not unusual to need to titrate several times before finding the best one for your child's ADHD symptoms. It is essential for parents to participate in this titration process and keep an eye on their child's behavior to let the doctor know if the medicine is helping or causing adverse effects.

Unless you have decided to return to NHS care, your medication will be issued with a prescription from a private pharmacy that you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in the consultation fee). You'll be required to attend every six months to check your medication, which includes pulse and blood pressure readings. Annual exams are also required.

Follow-up appointments

After the evaluation is completed after the assessment is completed, titration you can make follow-up appointments with your psychiatrist. The appointment will usually be conducted by video conference using zoom. In some circumstances, it might be possible for an audio-only appointment to be scheduled (again with an additional cost).

In this session, we'll discuss any treatment options and come up with a unique ADHD medication titration plan. This will include a discussion and review of your medication dose, as well as any side effects that you may be experiencing. The cost for these titration appointments 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 doctor will also ask you about your family background and the impact your ADHD symptoms impact your life, including any relationship issues you might be facing or any other mental health issues you may be suffering from. This is due to the fact that ADHD can be a genetic condition and it is essential that we assess any family history that might suggest that you are at risk of developing the disorder.

It is essential that you are honest and open with the clinician during the assessment, since the information they gather will be used to determine if your ADHD meets the diagnostic criteria. This is an important step, since the wrong diagnosis can result in an inappropriate prescription of medication.

If you decide to receive treatment for ADHD We'll set up a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist who is specialized in this field. This can be done at the time of your diagnosis if you want to start treatment immediately or within two weeks if would like more time to consider the implications of your diagnosis and the possibilities available to you.

If you aren't sure what you would prefer, we suggest that you speak to your GP before booking your private examination as some providers have different rules regarding whether they require the submission of a GP referral letter or not. We also recommend to check if your GP accepts a 'Shared Care Agreement', which means that once discharged from the clinic, you will be referred back to them for the prescription for the medication.

Medication

For many who wish to obtain an individual diagnosis of ADHD, medication is an important aspect 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 may be reluctant to refer their patients to specialist services.

Requesting 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 a provider that offers an assessment and titration. This can help you reduce time and be more convenient, particularly if you have a busy schedule.

If you are referred, your clinician will assess your condition to determine if you require medication titration. You'll have to complete 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 conditions that could mean you shouldn't take ADHD medications if they are prescribed.

If you are on a titration medication, this will usually be a combination of non-stimulant and stimulant medications. They will be carefully tested and monitored to find the best combination for you, taking into consideration any current conditions you suffer from. The titration for adhd process can be lengthy and may require a few extra appointments before you're stable on your dose.

The frequency of your follow-up appointments will depend on the type and amount of medication you're taking. They can be scheduled for monthly or quarterly. This will involve your clinician checking to see if you are stable on the medication, noting any adverse effects you have had and making any necessary adjustments to ensure that you're on a safe dosage. You'll also be required to attend a regular health check which can include blood pressure, pulse and weight readings and an annual check-up.

For some people it could be that they are content with their medication and don't need any further discussion on their titration. However, for those who require further discussion about their titration adhd and treatment plan it is possible that they will be referred back to the same private clinic that conducted their initial assessment. If this happens, the titration appointment will be included in their consultation fees and they will be given their medication via a private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This may cost more than prescriptions from the NHS since the pharmacy will charge you for the medication.