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 is able to provide private ADHD treatment 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 thorough evaluation of your ADHD symptoms will be carried out by a highly experienced consultant psychiatrist. This includes a medical history and an assessment using the common ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.
After your assessment After your assessment, you will be informed whether medication is appropriate for your specific situation. The discussion will take place at your follow-up appointment (which could be in person, by video link or by phone). Your doctor will explain the different options available for you to take medication and if you decide to start on medication we will recommend titrating dosage to ensure the balance of benefits and side effects for you.
This is a process which may take several weeks. It requires adjusting your child's dosage slowly until the right balance is reached. It is not uncommon to to titrate up to three different medicines until you discover the one that best fits your child's ADHD. It is crucial that parents are involved in the titration and be on the lookout for their child's behavior, so they can inform doctors whether the medication is working or causing adverse reactions.
If you decide to return to NHS treatment, you will receive a private prescription for your medication. You will have to pay at the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation fee. You will need to keep up with your appointments every six months to monitor your medications. This includes blood pressure and pulse measurements. Annual reviews are also mandatory.
Follow-up appointments
Once the assessment has been completed, you will be able to book follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist as appropriate. The appointment usually takes place via a zoom video call but in certain circumstances it may be possible to schedule an audio only consultation (again at an additional cost).
In this session, we'll discuss any treatment options we have and decide on a custom-made ADHD medication titration strategy. This will include a review of your medication dose and a discussion of any possible side effects you might be experiencing. These titrations cost PS150 for face-toface sessions and PS60 via telephone or video consultation. The cost of medication is additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The psychiatrist will ask you questions about your family history as well as the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your life, and any mental health issues that you might be experiencing. ADHD is a genetic condition, and it's vital to examine your family history to determine if you are at a higher risk of developing this disorder.
During this examination, it is crucial that you are truthful and open with the doctor who will be using the information you provide to determine if you are able to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is an important step, as the wrong diagnosis can result in a prescription for medication that is not appropriate.
If you've decided that you'd like to be treated for your ADHD We will arrange a follow up appointment with one of our psychiatrists that specialize in this area. This can be done in the wake of your diagnosis if you are keen to begin treatment immediately or within two weeks if would like more time to think about the implications of your diagnosis and the options available to you.
If you aren't sure what you would prefer, we suggest that you talk 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. Find out if your GP accepts the Shared Care Agreement, which means that you will be referred to them after you leave the clinic to get a medication prescription.
Medication
Medication is a key element of the process for many people looking for a private ADHD diagnosis. The process of getting prescriptions from an NHS psychiatrist can be difficult and long-winded. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs are often reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.
Asking your GP to refer through Right to Choose is one way to avoid this (see psychiatry UK and ADHD 360). You can choose a service who offers an assessment that is private and titration. This will cut down your waiting time significantly and is more convenient if you're working and have a busy schedule.
After you've been referred through this route your chosen doctor will examine you and decide whether or not you require to be adjusted on your medication. You will be asked to fill in forms that vary by provider but the most important ones are self-report forms and medical histories from childhood and adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor identify any factors that might suggest you should not take ADHD medications if they are prescribed.
If you are titrated on medication, it will typically be a combination of stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. These will be thoroughly examined and monitored to determine the best combination for you. The titration procedure can be lengthy and may require a number of additional appointments before your dose is stable.
adhd dose titration of your follow-up appointments is contingent on the type and amount of medication you are taking. They could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. Your physician will make sure whether you are safe with the medication, note any side effects you have experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you remain on a safe dosage. You'll also be required to attend a regular health check that may include blood pressure and pulse readings, as well as weight and weight measurements and an annual check-up.
Some patients may be content with their medication and don't need to discuss their titration in more detail. If you're looking to discuss your titration or treatment plan more thoroughly it is likely that you'll be sent to the private clinic that performed your initial evaluation. If this occurs, the titration appointment will be included in the consultation fees and they will be given their medication on a private prescription (see Consultation fees above). It could cost more than an NHS prescription since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.