Private ADHD Titration
There is currently a nationwide shortage of medications that treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing issues and an increase in demand worldwide.
Our service is able to provide private ADHD treatment as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our fees for assessments include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A comprehensive assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be carried out by a highly experienced consultant Psychiatrist. This includes a complete medical history, and an evaluation using the standard ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
After your examination, you will be informed that medication may be beneficial in your case. This will take place at your follow up appointment (which can be done in person, via video link or by phone). Your doctor will go over the different options for medication available. If you decide to start taking medication, we can help you the opportunity to increase your dosage to maximize the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This process can take a few weeks and requires gradually altering your child’s medication until the right balance has been achieved. It’s not uncommon to have to adjust up to three different medications until you discover the one that best fits your child’s ADHD. It is essential that parents are involved in the titration period adhd and keep an eye out for their child’s behavior so they can inform doctors if the medication is helping or causing adverse effects.
If you decide to return to NHS treatment you will receive a private prescription for your medication. You will be required 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 medication. This includes blood pressure and pulse measurements. Annual reviews are also mandatory.
Follow-up appointments
Once the evaluation has been completed, you will be able to make follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist, as necessary. The appointment will usually be conducted via zoom video call. In some circumstances, it might be possible for an audio-only consultation to be scheduled (again with an additional cost).
We will then go over the options for treatment and then decide on a bespoke, individualised ADHD medication titration adhd medications. This will include a review and discussion of your medication dose and any adverse effects you may be experiencing. The cost of these titration consultations is PS150 for face to face sessions and PS60 for online or telephone video consultations. Costs for medication are extra and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history and the impact that your ADHD symptoms have on your life, including any issues with your relationships that you may be experiencing or other mental health problems that you might be experiencing. This is because ADHD is a genetic condition and it is crucial to examine any family history that might indicate that you’re at risk of developing the disorder.
It is crucial that you are honest and open to the doctor 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 vital step in the process, because if you don’t do it, it could result in an incorrect diagnosis and therefore inappropriate prescribing of medication.
If you decide to seek treatment for ADHD we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist who specializes in this field. This can be scheduled in the wake of your diagnosis if are keen to begin treatment right away, or within two weeks if you want to think about the implications of your diagnosis and the possibilities that are available to you.
We suggest that if are unsure about your preferences, you talk with your GP prior to booking your private assessment. Certain providers have different guidelines regarding whether or not they require an GP letter. Make sure that your GP accepts the Shared Care Agreement, which means you will be referred to them when you leave the clinic to get a prescription medication.
Medication
Medication is an integral element of the process for many who are seeking a private ADHD diagnosis. It isn’t always easy to obtain a prescription from a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs are often reluctant to refer patients on to specialist services.
Requesting your GP to refer through Right to Choose is one way to avoid this (see psychiatry – UK and ADHD 360). This means that you can select one that provides an assessment and titration adhd adults service. This will help you save time and be more convenient, especially when you are on a tight schedule.
If you are referred, your clinician will examine your condition to determine if you require medication titration. You will be asked to fill out 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 reasons that suggest you shouldn’t take ADHD medications, when they’ve been prescribed.
If you are being titrated the medication will consist of a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. These will be carefully trialled and monitored to determine the best combination for you, taking into consideration any current conditions you suffer from. The titration process can be long and may require multiple appointments before your dose is stable.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments will depend on the type and amount of medication you’re taking. They could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. This will include your physician checking to see if you are on the right 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 be required to undergo a regular health check which can include blood pressure and pulse readings, as well as weight and weight measurements and an annual review.
For some individuals it could be that they are content with their medication and don’t need any further discussion on their titration. If you need to discuss your titration or treatment plan more thoroughly it is likely that you’ll be referred back to the private doctor that performed your initial evaluation. If this occurs, the titration consultation will be included in their consultation fees and they will be given their medication via private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than a prescription from the NHS because the pharmacy will charge you for the medication.