Private ADHD Titration
There is currently a nationwide shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and a growing global demand.
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Our service offers private ADHD titration instead of waiting for NHS funding via Right to Choose. Our fees for assessments include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A thorough assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be conducted with a highly experienced consultant psychiatrist. This includes a thorough medical history and an evaluation using the common ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
After your evaluation, you will be informed that medication may be beneficial for your particular situation. The discussion will take place at your follow-up appointment (which could be in person, by video link or by phone). Your clinician will explain the various options for medication and, if you decide to start on medication we will suggest titrating dosage to ensure the balance of benefits and side effects for you.
This process could take a few weeks and involves gradually adjusting your child's dosage until the proper balance has been achieved. It's not uncommon to have to titrate as high as three different medications before you can find the one that best suits your child's ADHD. It is essential that parents are involved in the titration process and be aware of 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 treatment, your medication will be issued with a private prescription which you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in the consultation fee). You will be required to attend regular appointments every six months to monitor your medication - this includes pulse and blood pressure readings. Annual reviews are also required.
Follow-up appointments
After the assessment is complete and you are satisfied, you can schedule follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist. The appointment usually takes place through a video call using zoom but in certain circumstances it might be possible to do an audio only consultation (again at an extra cost).
We will then discuss the options for treatment and then decide on a bespoke, individualised ADHD medication titration. This will include a discussion and review of your medication dose, as well as any side effects you might be experiencing. The cost for these titration appointments is PS150 for face-to-face sessions and PS60 for online or phone video consultations. Costs for medication are extra and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The psychiatrist will ask you questions regarding your family history and the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your life, and any relationship problems or mental health issues you might be suffering from. This is due to the fact that ADHD is an inheritable condition, and it is important to examine any family history that may suggest that you are at risk of developing the disorder.
It is important that you are honest and transparent with the clinician during the assessment, since the information they receive will be used to determine if your ADHD is in line with the diagnostic criteria. This is an important step because a wrong diagnosis could result in a prescription for medication that is not appropriate.
If you decide to be treated for ADHD We'll set up an appointment to follow-up with a psychiatrist who specializes in this area. This can be done within the first few days of your diagnosis if are eager to begin treatment right away, or within two weeks if you want to consider the implications of your diagnosis and the alternatives available to you.
We recommend that if you are unsure of your preferences, you talk with your GP prior to booking your private assessment. Certain providers have different guidelines regarding whether they require an GP letter. We also advise to confirm that your GP accepts a "Shared-Care Agreement which means that after you have been discharged from the clinic, you will be sent back to them to get the medication prescription.
Medication
The medication process is an essential part of the journey for many who are seeking a private ADHD diagnosis. It isn't always easy to obtain an appointment with a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be extremely long and GPs may be reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.
One way to get around this is to ask your GP to refer you through Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). This means that you can select a provider that offers a private assessment and https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-adult-adhd-titration/ . This can reduce your wait time significantly and is more convenient if you are working and have a hectic schedule.
If you are recommended, your physician will examine you to determine if you need medication titration. You will be asked to fill in forms that differ by doctor but the most common ones are self-report forms and medical histories from 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 when they've been prescribed.
If you are being titrated, the medication will consist of stimulants and nonstimulant medications. The combination will be carefully tested and monitored to determine the best combination for you, taking into account any existing conditions you have. The process of titration can be lengthy and may require some additional appointments before you are stable on your dose.
Depending on the type of medication you are taking, follow up appointments could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. This will include your physician checking to see if you are stable on the medication, logging any side effects you've experienced, and making any necessary adjustments to ensure that you're on a safe dosage. You'll also have to undergo a regular health check, which could include blood pressure, pulse and weight readings and an annual review.
For some it could be because they are satisfied with their medication and don't require a further discussion about their titration. If, however, they do need further discussions about the titration process and treatment plan, it's possible that they will be passed back to the private clinic that made their initial assessment. If this happens, the titration appointment will be included in their consultation fees and they will receive their medication via private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than an NHS prescription since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.
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