Private ADHD Titration

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

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

Titration

A highly experienced consultant psychiatrist will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your ADHD. This includes a medical history and an assessment using the common ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.

After your examination, you will be informed whether medication is appropriate for your specific situation. This will take place at your follow-up appointment (which can be done in person, via video link or by telephone). Your doctor will explain what medication options are available and if you decide to start on medication we will recommend titrating the dose to maximize the balance of benefits and side effects for you.

This is a process which could take a few weeks and requires adjusting your child's dosage gradually until the proper balance is reached. It is not unusual to have to titrate two or three medicines before determining the most effective one for your child's ADHD symptoms. It is important that parents take part in the titration process and be aware of their child's behavior so that they can inform doctors if the medication is helping or causing adverse effects.

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

Follow-up appointments

Once the assessment is completed, you can schedule appointment with the psychiatrist. The appointment is usually done via zoom video call. In some cases, it may be possible to have an audio-only appointment to be conducted (again at an additional cost).

In this session, we'll discuss any treatment options we have and agree upon a bespoke individualised ADHD medication titration plan. This will include a discussion and review of your medication dose and any side effects that 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 charge you for any charges for medication.

The doctor will also ask you about your family background and the impact your ADHD symptoms impact your life, as well as any issues with relationships you may be experiencing or other mental health issues you may be experiencing. This is because ADHD is a genetic condition and it is important to look into any family history that could indicate whether you are at risk of developing the disorder.

It is important to be honest and open with your doctor during this evaluation, as the information they gather will be used to determine whether your ADHD meets the diagnostic criteria. This is an essential part of the process, since a failure to do so could result in an incorrect diagnosis and consequently an inappropriate prescription of medication.

If you've decided you would like to receive treatment for your ADHD, we will then set up a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists that specialize in this area. If you want to start treatment right away it is possible to start treatment at the time of diagnosis. Or you can wait two weeks to consider the implications of the diagnosis and what options you have.

If you aren't sure what your preference is We suggest you talk to your GP prior to scheduling your private titration adhd assessment as some providers have different rules regarding whether they require the submission of a GP referral letter or not. We also advise that you check whether your GP accepts a "Shared-Care Agreement', which means that once you are discharged from the clinic you will be returned to them for the medication prescription.

Medication

The medication process is an essential aspect of the treatment process for many people who are seeking a private ADHD diagnosis. It isn't always easy to obtain prescriptions from psychiatrists on the NHS. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs may be reluctant to refer patients on 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). You can choose a service that provides an assessment on your own and titration. This can help you to save time and also be more convenient, especially if you have a busy schedule.

After you've been identified as a candidate for this treatment the doctor you choose will evaluate you and determine whether or not you require to be adjusted on your medication. You'll need to fill out forms that are different for each provider however the most commonly used ones are self-reporting forms and medical histories that go back to childhood and adulthood. These forms will allow your doctor to determine if there are factors that could mean you shouldn't be taking ADHD medication, even if they have been prescribed.

If you are titrated on medication, this will usually include a mix of non-stimulant and stimulant medications. These will be thoroughly examined and monitored to determine the best combination for you. The process of titration can be long and could require some additional appointments before you are stable on your dosage.

Depending on the type of medication you're taking, follow-up appointments can be scheduled either monthly or quarterly. Your clinician will check whether you are stable on the medication, document any side effects you've experienced, and make any needed adjustments to ensure that you remain on a dose that is safe. You'll also have to undergo a regular health check that may include blood pressure, pulse and weight readings as well as an annual review.

Some people may be satisfied with their medication, and do not need to discuss their titration in more detail. If you need to discuss your titration plan or treatment plan in more detail, it is possible that you'll be referred to the private clinic that performed your initial evaluation. If this happens, the titration appointment will be part of their consultation fee and they will receive their medication on an individual prescription (see Consultation fees above). It could cost more than an NHS prescription because the pharmacy will charge for the medication.