Private ADHD Titration

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

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

Titration

A thorough evaluation of your ADHD symptoms will be conducted with a highly experienced consultant Psychiatrist. This includes a thorough medical history, as well as an assessment using the standard ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.

After your evaluation, you will be advised that medication may be beneficial for your situation. This will be discussed at your follow up appointment (which can be scheduled in person, via video link or by telephone). Your doctor will explain the various options for medication and, if you decide to begin taking medication, we will offer to titrate dosage to ensure the benefits/side effects balance for you.

This process can take several weeks and involves adjusting your child's medication gradually until the proper balance is achieved. It's not uncommon to need to titrate two or three medicines before determining the most effective one for your child's ADHD symptoms. It's important for parents to participate in this titration process, and keep an watchful eye on their child's behavior so that they can let the doctor know whether the medication is helping or causing side effects.

If you decide to return to NHS care and have decided to return to NHS care, your medication will be given as an individual prescription that you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fee). You must attend regular appointments every six months to monitor your medication - this includes pulse and blood pressure readings. Annual reviews are also mandatory.

Follow-up appointments

After the assessment is complete and you are satisfied, you can schedule follow-up appointments with your psychiatrist. The appointment will usually be conducted through a zoom video call. However, in certain circumstances, it might be possible to have an audio-only appointment to be conducted (again at an additional cost).

We will then go over treatment options and choose an individualised, bespoke ADHD medication adjustment. This will include a review of your medication dose and a discussion around any negative side effects you may be experiencing. The cost of these titration adhd medications sessions is PS150 for face to face sessions and PS60 for online or telephone video consultations. Costs for medication are extra and are paid directly to the pharmacy.

The psychiatrist will ask questions regarding your family history, the impact of your adhd titration waiting list symptoms on your life, and any relationship problems or mental health issues you might be suffering from. This is because ADHD is a genetic condition and it is crucial that we assess any family history that could indicate that you're at risk of developing the disorder.

During the assessment, it is essential to be truthful and honest with your doctor in the sense that they will use the information you provide to determine if you are able to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is an essential step in 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 schedule a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists that specialize in this area. This can be done within the first few days of your diagnosis if you are keen to begin treatment immediately, or within two weeks if you want to consider the implications of your diagnosis and the options available to you.

If you're not sure which one you prefer it is recommended that you speak to your GP prior to booking your private examination as some providers have different policies regarding whether they require an GP referral letter or not. Check if your GP accepts the Shared Care Agreement, which means that you will be referred to them when you leave the clinic to get a prescriptions for medication.

Medication

For many who wish to obtain a private diagnosis of ADHD, medication is an important element of their treatment. It isn't easy to obtain an appointment with a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be extremely long and GPs may be reluctant to refer their patients to specialist services.

One way to get around this is to request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). This means that you can choose a provider that offers an assessment and titration adhd medications service. This can reduce your wait time by a significant amount and is more convenient when you are working and have a busy schedule.

After you have been referred, your clinician will evaluate your condition to determine if you need medication adjustment. You will be asked to fill in forms that differ by doctor but the most important ones are self-report forms and medical histories from childhood and adulthood. These forms will allow your doctor to determine if there are circumstances that indicate that you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications, in the event that they've been prescribed.

If you are titrated on medication, this will usually be a combination of non-stimulant and stimulant medications. These will be carefully trialled and monitored to find the most effective combination for you, taking into account any existing conditions you have. The titration process can be a lengthy process and may require multiple appointments before you are stable.

Based on the type of medication you're taking, follow-up appointments could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. The appointment will involve your doctor making sure that you are on the right medication, logging any side effects you've experienced and making any necessary adjustments to ensure that you remain in a safe dosage. You'll also be required to attend a regular health check which can include blood pressure readings, pulse and weight and an annual check-up.

For some people it could be because they are content with their medication and don't need a further discussion about their titration adhd medication. If you're required to discuss your titration adhd plan or treatment plan in more detail it is likely that you'll be sent to the private clinic who performed your initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration appointment will be included in their consultation fee, and they will be given their medication through an individual prescription (see Consultation fees above). This can cost more than a prescription from the NHS, as the pharmacy will charge you for the medication.