Private ADHD Titration
There is currently a national shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due both to manufacturing issues and an increased demand in the world.
Our service provides private ADHD adjustment instead of waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessment fees include the cost of a single prescription.
Titration
A highly experienced psychiatrist consultant will conduct a thorough evaluation of your ADHD. This includes an examination of your medical history as well as an assessment using the standard ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.
After your examination, you will be informed if medication is considered to be beneficial in your case. This will be discussed at your follow-up appointment (which could be in person, via video link or by phone). Your clinician will discuss the different options for medication available. If you decide to start taking medication, we will help you the option of titrating your dose to ensure the best balance of benefits and side effects for you.
This process can take several weeks, and involves adjusting your child's medication gradually until the proper balance is reached. It's not uncommon to to adjust up to three different medicines before you find the one that best suits your child's ADHD. It is essential that parents participate in the titration process and keep an eye out for their child's behavior, so they can inform the doctor whether the medication is helping or causing adverse effects.
If you do not decide to return to NHS care and have decided to return to NHS care, your medication will be provided with an individual prescription that you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in the consultation fee). You'll need to keep up with your appointments every six months to monitor your medications. This includes blood pressure and pulse measurements. Annual exams are also required.
Follow-up appointments
After the evaluation is completed after the assessment is completed, you can make follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist. The appointment is usually done through a zoom video call. However, in certain circumstances, it might be possible for an audio-only appointment to be conducted (again with an additional cost).
At this point we will discuss treatment options and decide on a custom-made ADHD medication titration plan. This will include a review of your medication dose and an examination of any negative side effects you may be experiencing. These titration sessions cost PS150 for face-to-face sessions, and PS60 via video or telephone consultation. The pharmacy will charge you for any charges for medication.
The psychiatrist will ask you questions about your family history as well as the impact of your ADHD symptoms on your daily life and any relationship problems or mental health issues you may be experiencing. This is because ADHD can be an inheritable condition, and it is crucial that we assess any family history that could suggest that you are at risk of developing the disorder.
During this examination, it is vital to be truthful and open with the 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, because if you don't do it, it could result in an inaccurate diagnosis and therefore inappropriate prescribing of medication.
If you decide to receive treatment for ADHD, we'll arrange an appointment to follow-up with a psychiatrist who specializes in this field. If see this want to start treatment right away, you can do this at the time of diagnosis. Or you can wait two weeks to think about the implications of the diagnosis and what options you have.
We suggest that if you are unsure about your preferences, you talk with your GP prior to scheduling your private examination. Certain providers have different policies regarding whether or not they require the submission of a GP letter. Check 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 prescriptions for medication.
Medication
For many people who want a private diagnosis of ADHD, medication is an important part of their journey. It isn't always easy to obtain a prescription from a psychiatrist 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 ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). This means that you can select a provider that offers a private assessment and titration. This will help you reduce time and be more convenient, especially in the event of a hectic schedule.
After you have been recommended, your physician will examine you to determine if need medication titration. You'll need to fill out forms that differ by provider however the most commonly used ones are self-reporting questions and medical histories going to your childhood and into adulthood. These forms will allow your doctor to determine if there are any circumstances that indicate you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications, in the event that they've been prescribed.
If you are titrated, the medication will consist of a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. They will be tested and monitored to find the best combination for you. The titration procedure can be a lengthy process and may require several extra appointments before you are stable.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments will be contingent on the type and quantity of medication you're taking. They could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. The appointment will involve your doctor making sure that you are stable on the medication, noting any adverse effects you have had and making any necessary adjustments to ensure you are on a dose that is safe. You will be required to go to an annual review and a regular health check-up that includes pulse, blood pressure, and weight measurements.
Some patients may be content with their medication, and therefore do not have 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 will be referred to the private clinic who performed your 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 can cost more than an NHS prescription since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.