Private ADHD Titration

There is a nationwide shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due both to manufacturing issues and an increased demand in the world.

Our service can provide private ADHD titration as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessment fees cover the cost of one prescription.

Titration

A highly skilled consultant psychiatrist will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your ADHD. This will include an examination of your medical history as well as an assessment using the standard ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.

After your assessment, you will be informed if medication would be beneficial for your specific situation. This will be discussed at your follow up appointment (which can be done in person, via 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 suggest titrating dosage to ensure the benefits/side effects balance for you.

This process may take several weeks, and requires gradually altering your child’s medication until the appropriate balance is reached. It's not uncommon to need to titrate two or three medicines before finding the best one for your child's ADHD symptoms. It is essential that parents are involved in the titration process and be on the lookout for their child's behavior so they can let the doctors know if the medication is helping or causing adverse effects.

If you do not decide to return to NHS care the medication you take will be provided with a prescription from a private pharmacy that you will need to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in the consultation fee). You must attend every six months to check your medication. This includes pulse and blood pressure readings. Annual checks are also required.

Follow-up appointments

Once the assessment has been completed, you will be able to schedule appointment with the psychiatrist, as necessary. The appointment is typically conducted by video conference using zoom. In some circumstances, it might be possible for an audio-only appointment to be conducted (again at an additional cost).

At this point, we will discuss treatment options and agree upon a bespoke individualised ADHD medication titration strategy. This will include a discussion and review of your medication dosage and any side effects you might be experiencing. These titration sessions cost PS150 for face-toface sessions and PS60 via telephone or video consultation. The pharmacy will charge you for any medication costs.

The psychiatrist will ask you questions regarding your family history and the impact of your ADHD symptoms on your life and any mental health issues you might be experiencing. This is due to the fact that ADHD is a genetic condition and it is important to examine any family history that might indicate whether you are at risk of developing the disorder.

During this assessment it is vital to be truthful and open with the doctor in the sense that they will use the information you provide to determine whether you meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is a crucial part of the process, since a failure to do so could result in an incorrect diagnosis and therefore inappropriate prescribing of medication.

If you decide to be treated for ADHD, we'll arrange a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist who specializes in this field. If you want to start treatment right away you can start treatment at the time of diagnosis. Or you can wait two weeks to think about the implications of the diagnosis and your options.

If you are unsure of which one you prefer, we suggest that you talk to your GP prior to booking your private assessment as some providers have different rules regarding whether they require an GP referral letter or not. Find out if your GP accepts a Shared Care Agreement, which means that you will be referred to them when you leave the clinic to get a prescription medication.

Medication

For many people who seek an individual diagnosis of ADHD, medication is a key element of their treatment. The process of getting an appointment with an NHS psychiatrist can be a hassle and long-winded. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs are often reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.

Inquiring your GP to refer you to Right to Choose is one way to avoid this (see psychiatry - UK and ADHD 360). You can select a provider that offers a private assessment service and titration. This can help you to save time and also be more convenient, especially when you are on a tight schedule.

If you are identified as a candidate for this treatment, your chosen clinician will examine you and decide whether or not you need to be monitored for a dose of medication. You will be asked to fill out forms that vary by provider but the most common ones are self-report questionnaires and medical histories from childhood and adulthood. These forms will allow your doctor to determine if there are reasons that suggest you shouldn't take ADHD medications, when they've been prescribed.

If you are being titrated the medication will be a combination stimulants and nonstimulant medications. These will be carefully examined and monitored to determine the right combination for you. The Titration period adhd process can be long and may require a number of additional appointments before you are stable.

Depending on the type of medication you are taking, follow-up appointments will be either monthly or quarterly. Your physician will make sure that you are stable with the medication, record any adverse reactions you have experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you remain on a safe dosage. You will be required to go to an annual health check-up and regular health check-up that includes pulse, blood pressure, and weight measurements.

Some people may be satisfied with their treatment and do not require discussing their titration process further. If you need to discuss your titration adhd adults or treatment plan further it is likely that you'll be referred back to the private doctor who performed your initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration consultation 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 a prescription from the NHS because the pharmacy will charge for the medication.