Private ADHD Titration
There is currently a nationwide shortage of medication that helps to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and an increased demand in the world.
Our service is private ADHD titration instead of waiting for NHS funding via Right to Choose. Our assessment fees cover the cost of a single prescription.
Titration
A thorough assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be conducted by a highly experienced consultant Psychiatrist. This includes a complete medical history and an assessment using the standard ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
After your examination, you will be informed whether medication may be beneficial for your situation. This will happen at your follow up appointment (which can be done in person, via video link or by phone). Your physician will explain to you the different options available for you to take medication and if you decide to start on medication we will offer to titrate the dose to maximize the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This process can take several weeks and it involves gradually altering your child's medication until the proper balance is reached. It's not uncommon to need to titrate several times before finding the one that is best for your child's ADHD symptoms. It's important for parents to take part in this process of titration, and keep an eye on their child's behavior so that they can inform the doctor whether the medication is helping or causing adverse effects.
If you decide to go back to NHS treatment you will receive a private prescription for your medication. You will be required to pay at the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation cost. You must attend six-monthly appointments to monitor your medication. This includes pulse and blood pressure measurements. Annual reviews are also mandatory.
Follow-up appointments
Once the assessment is completed after the assessment is completed, you can make follow-up appointments with your psychiatrist. The appointment is usually done by video conference using zoom. However, in certain cases, it may be possible to have an audio-only appointment to be conducted (again with an additional cost).
We will then discuss treatment options and decide on the most appropriate, customized ADHD medication titration. This will include an assessment of your medication dose and a discussion around any adverse effects you may be experiencing. The cost for these titration appointments is PS150 for face to face sessions and PS60 for online or telephone video consultations. The cost of medication is additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The psychiatrist will also ask you about your family background and the impact your ADHD symptoms impact your life, as well as any issues with your relationships that you may be having or other mental health problems that you might be experiencing. ADHD is a genetic condition, and it's vital to examine your family history in order to determine if you're at a higher risk of developing this disorder.
It is crucial to be honest and transparent with the clinician during the assessment, since the information they receive will be used to determine whether your ADHD is in line with the diagnostic criteria. This is a crucial step because an incorrect diagnosis could lead to inappropriate medication prescription.
If you decide to be treated for ADHD we'll schedule an appointment to follow-up with a psychiatrist who specializes in this field. If you want to start treatment immediately, you can do this at the time of diagnosis. You can also take two weeks to consider the implications of the diagnosis and your options.
If you are unsure of what your preference is, we suggest that you talk to your GP prior to booking your private assessment as some providers have different policies about whether they require the submission of a GP referral letter or not. We also recommend to confirm that your GP accepts a "Shared Care Agreement', which means that once discharged from the clinic, you will be sent back to them to get the prescription for the medication.
Medication
The medication process is an essential element of the process for many people who are seeking an official ADHD diagnosis. Getting prescriptions from an NHS psychiatrist can be difficult and time-consuming. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long, and GPs might be reluctant to refer their patients 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). You can choose a service that offers an assessment on your own and the titration. This will help you reduce time and be more convenient, especially when you are on a tight work schedule.
After you've been identified as a candidate for this treatment your chosen doctor will examine you and decide whether or not you require to be monitored for a dose of medication. You will need to fill out forms that vary by doctor however the most commonly used ones are self-reporting questions and medical histories going to childhood and adulthood. These will help your clinician identify any conditions that could indicate that you shouldn't be taking ADHD medication if prescribed.
If you are titrated on medication, it will typically be a combination of stimulants and non-stimulant medications. These will be carefully examined and monitored to determine the best combination for you. The titration can be lengthy and may require multiple appointments before you are stable.
Based on the type of medication you are taking, follow up appointments will be either monthly or quarterly. Your clinician will check whether you are stable on the medication, document any adverse reactions you have experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you remain on a safe dose. You'll also be required to attend a regular health check that may include blood pressure readings, pulse and weight and an annual review.
For some individuals, it may be that they are satisfied with their medication and don't need a further discussion about their titration. For those who do need further discussions about their titration and treatment plans, it's possible to be referred back to the same private clinic that conducted their initial assessment. If this happens, the titration appointment will be included in the consultation fees and they will receive their medication via an individual prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than a prescription from the NHS because the pharmacy will charge you for the medication.