Private ADHD Titration
There is currently a nationwide shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing issues and increased global demand.
Our service can offer private ADHD treatment as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessments are free and include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A thorough evaluation of your ADHD symptoms will be conducted by a highly experienced consultant Psychiatrist. This will include a medical history and an assessment using the common ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.
After your examination, you will be advised whether medication may be beneficial in your particular situation. This will happen during your follow-up appointment (which can be scheduled in person by video link, in person or by telephone). Your physician will explain to you what medication options are available and, if you decide to start on medication we will recommend titrating dosage to ensure the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This process may take several weeks, and it involves gradually altering your child’s medication until the appropriate balance is reached. It is not unusual to need to adjust several times before finding the one that is best for your child's ADHD symptoms. adhd titration uk london is essential that parents participate in the titration process and be aware of their child's behavior, so they can let the doctors know if the medication is helping or causing adverse reactions.
If you decide to return to NHS treatment, you will receive a private prescription for your medication. You will have to pay for your prescription at the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation cost. You will need to attend six-monthly appointments to check your medications. This includes blood pressure and pulse measurements. Annual reviews are also required.
Follow-up appointments
Once the assessment has been completed you will be able to book follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist as appropriate. The appointment usually takes place via a zoom video call but in certain circumstances it might be possible to have an audio only consultation (again at an extra cost).
We will then discuss treatment options and decide on an individualised, bespoke ADHD medication adjustment. This will include a review and discussion of your medication dosage and any side effects that you may be experiencing. The cost for these titration sessions is PS150 for face-to-face sessions and PS60 for online or phone video consultations. The cost of medication is additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The psychiatrist will ask questions regarding your family history as well as the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your life and any relationship problems or mental health issues that you might be suffering from. ADHD can be a genetic condition, so it's important to examine your family history in order to determine if you are at risk of developing this disorder.
It is important that you are honest and open to the doctor during the assessment, since the information they gather will be used to determine if your ADHD is in line with the diagnostic criteria. This is an important step because an incorrect diagnosis could result in an inappropriate prescription of medication.
If you've decided that you'd like to be treated for your ADHD, we will then schedule a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialize in this area. This can be done at the time 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 alternatives that are available to you.
We recommend that if you are unsure of your preferences, you talk with your GP prior to booking your private examination. Certain providers have different guidelines regarding whether or not they require the submission of a GP letter. Find out if your GP accepts the Shared Care Agreement, which means you will be referred to them after you leave the clinic to get a medication prescription.
Medication
For many people who seek an official diagnosis of ADHD medication is a key aspect of their journey. It can be difficult to get 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 request your GP to refer you through Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). You can choose a service that provides a private assessment service and the titration. This can help you reduce time and be more convenient, particularly when you are on a tight schedule.
Once you have been referred through this route the doctor you choose will examine you and decide whether or not you need to be monitored for a dose of medication. You will need to fill out forms that differ by provider but the most frequent ones are self-reporting forms and medical histories dating back to childhood and adulthood. These forms will allow your doctor to determine if there are any circumstances that indicate you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications, when they've been prescribed.
If you are being titrated, the medication will consist of stimulants and nonstimulant medicines. These will be thoroughly assessed and monitored to determine the most suitable combination for you. The process of titration can be lengthy and may require some additional appointments before you're able to stay on your dose.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments will be contingent on the type and quantity of medication you are taking. They can be scheduled for monthly or quarterly. Your doctor will ensure that you are stable with the medication, note any adverse reactions you have experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you remain on a safe dosage. You will also be required to undergo a regular health check that may include blood pressure, pulse and weight readings and an annual review.
Some people might be satisfied with their medication, and do not have to discuss their titration process further. If, however, they do need further discussions about the titration process and treatment plan, it's possible to be passed back to the private clinic that made their initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration appointment will be included in the consultation fee, and they will receive their medication through an individual prescription (see Consultation fees above). This can cost more than an NHS prescription because the pharmacy will charge for the medication.