Private ADHD Titration
There is a national shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing issues and a growing global demand.
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 highly skilled consultant psychiatrist will conduct a thorough assessment of your ADHD. This will include a medical history and an assessment using the common ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.
After your examination, you will be informed whether medication may be beneficial in your particular situation. This will take place at your follow-up appointment (which could be in person via video link or by telephone). Your clinician will explain what medication options are available and, if you choose to begin taking medication, we will offer to titrate the dose to maximize the balance of benefits and side effects for you.
This process may take a few weeks and it involves gradually altering your child's dosage until the appropriate balance is achieved. It's not uncommon to to titrate up to three different medicines before you find the one that is most suitable for your child's ADHD. It is important 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 decide to return to NHS treatment you will receive an individual prescription for your medication. You will be required to pay the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation fee. You'll 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, you can schedule appointment with the psychiatrist. The appointment usually takes place through a video call using zoom however in some instances it may be possible to have an audio-only consultation (again at an extra cost).
In this session, we'll discuss treatment options and come up with a unique ADHD medication titration program. This will include a review and discussion of your dosage of medication and any side effects that you might be experiencing. These titrations cost PS150 for face-to-face sessions and PS60 via telephone or video consultation. The pharmacy will charge you for any medication costs.
The doctor will also ask you about your family background and the impact your ADHD symptoms have on your life, as well as any issues with relationships you may be facing or any other mental health problems that you might be experiencing. ADHD is a genetic condition, and it's vital to look into your family's history to determine if you are at a higher chance of developing this disorder.
It is crucial that you are honest and truthful with the clinician during the assessment, since the information they get will be used to determine if your ADHD fits the diagnostic criteria. This is a crucial step in the process as failing to do so could result in an incorrect diagnosis, and thus an incorrect prescribing of medication.
If you decide to seek treatment for ADHD we'll schedule a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist that is skilled in this area. This can be scheduled within the first few days of your diagnosis if are keen to begin treatment immediately or within two weeks if want to consider the implications of your diagnosis and the options that are available to you.
If adhd titration uk 're not sure what you would prefer it is recommended that you talk to your GP before booking your private appointment as certain providers have different policies regarding whether they require the submission of a GP referral letter or not. Find out if your GP accepts a 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 who wish to obtain a private diagnosis of ADHD treatment is a crucial part of their journey. Finding prescriptions from an NHS psychiatrist can be a challenge and time-consuming. NHS waiting lists can be extremely long and GPs may be 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). This means that you can choose a provider that offers a private assessment and titration. This will cut down your waiting time by a significant amount and is more convenient if you're working and have a busy schedule.
After you've been referred through this route the doctor you choose will assess you and decide whether or not you're required to be titrated on medication. You will be asked to fill out forms that vary by provider but the main ones are self-report forms and medical histories from childhood and adulthood. These forms will help your clinician determine if there are circumstances that indicate that you shouldn't be taking ADHD medication, even if they have been prescribed.
If you are being titrated the medication will be a combination stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. They will be assessed and monitored to determine the right combination for you. The titration process can be lengthy and may require some additional appointments before you are stable on your dosage.
Depending on the type of medication you're taking, follow up appointments will be either monthly or quarterly. Your physician will make sure that you are stable with the medication, note any side effects you have experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you remain on a safe dose. You will also be required to attend a routine health check that may include blood pressure, pulse and weight readings as well as an annual check-up.
Some patients may be content with their medication, and do not have to discuss their titration further. If you're looking to discuss your titration plan or treatment plan in more detail it is likely that you'll be referred back to the private clinic that performed your initial evaluation. In this instance, the titration will be included in the consultation fee. The medication will then be provided through a private prescription. This could cost more than an NHS prescription as the pharmacy will charge for the medication.