Private ADHD Titration
There is currently a nationwide shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and the growing demand for ADHD medications worldwide.
Our service can provide private ADHD treatment as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessment fees cover the cost of a single prescription.
Titration
A highly experienced psychiatrist consultant will conduct a thorough evaluation of your ADHD. This includes medical history and an assessment using the typical ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.
After your evaluation After your assessment, you will be informed whether medication is appropriate for your situation. This will be discussed during your follow-up appointment (which may be scheduled in person, by video link, or over the phone). Your clinician will explain the different options available for you to take medication and if you decide to start on medication we will offer to titrate dosage to ensure the balance of benefits and side effects for you.
This process could take several weeks, and it involves gradually altering your child's dosage until the appropriate balance has been achieved. It is not uncommon to to titrate up to three different medicines until you discover the one that best fits your child's ADHD. It's important for parents to be involved in this titration process, and keep an eye on their child's behaviour to let the doctor know if the medicine 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 for your prescription at the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation fee. You will need to attend six-monthly appointments to check your medications. This includes blood pressure and pulse measurements. Annual reviews are also mandatory.
Follow-up appointments
After the assessment is completed you will be able to make follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist as necessary. The appointment is typically conducted through a zoom video call. However, in some cases, it may be possible to have an audio-only appointment to be scheduled (again with an additional cost).
At this point, we will discuss any treatment options and decide on a custom-made ADHD medication titration plan. This will include a discussion and review of your medication dosage and any adverse effects you might be experiencing. The titration sessions cost PS150 for face-toface sessions and PS60 via video or telephone consultation. The pharmacy will charge you for any medication costs.
The psychiatrist will also inquire with you about your family background and the impact your ADHD symptoms have on your life, as well as any issues with your relationships that you may be having or other mental health issues you may be experiencing. This is due to the fact that ADHD can be a genetic condition and it is crucial to look into any family history that may indicate that you're at risk of developing the disorder.
It is essential to be honest and open with your doctor during this assessment, as the information they gather will be used to determine whether your ADHD fits the diagnostic criteria. This is a crucial step, since a wrong diagnosis could result in an inappropriate prescription of medication.
If you've decided that you'd like to receive treatment for your ADHD We will set up a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialise in this area. If you want to start treatment immediately, you can do this at the time of diagnosis. Or you can wait two weeks to think about the implications of the diagnosis and the options available to you.
We suggest that if are unsure of your preferences, talk to your GP prior to scheduling your private examination. Some providers have different policies regarding whether or not they require a GP letter. We also suggest that you check whether your GP accepts a "Shared-Care Agreement', which means that once you are discharged from the clinic, you will be sent back to them to get the prescription for medication.
Medication
For many people who seek an official diagnosis of ADHD medication is a key element of their treatment. It isn't easy to obtain prescriptions from psychiatrists on the NHS. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long and GPs are often reluctant to refer patients on 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). This means that you can select an organization that offers a private assessment and titration. This will help you reduce time and be more convenient, particularly if you have a busy work schedule.
Once you've been referred, your clinician will assess you to determine if require medication adjustment. You will be asked to fill in forms that vary by provider but the main ones are self-report questionnaires and medical histories from childhood to adulthood. They will help your physician determine any issues that could mean you shouldn't take ADHD medications if they are prescribed.
If you are on a titration medication, it will typically include a mix of stimulants and non-stimulant medications. The combination will be carefully tested and monitored to determine the most suitable combination for you, taking into account any current conditions you suffer from. The titration can be long and may require multiple appointments before your dose is stable.
Depending on the type of medication you're taking, follow-up appointments could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. Your clinician will check whether you are safe with the medication, document any adverse reactions you have experienced and make any needed adjustments to ensure that you remain on a dose that is safe. titration service will be required to go to an annual health check-up and regular health check-up that includes pulse, blood pressure, and weight measurements.
Some people might be satisfied with their medication, and therefore do not have to discuss their titration process further. For those who do need further discussions about their titration and treatment plan it is possible that they will be referred back to the private clinic that made their initial assessment. If this happens, the titration appointment will be included in their consultation fee, and they will receive their medication via private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than a prescription from the NHS, as the pharmacy will charge for the medication.