Private ADHD Titration
There is currently a national shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing issues and an increase in demand worldwide.
Our service is private ADHD treatment instead of waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessments are free and include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A highly experienced psychiatrist consultant will conduct a thorough evaluation of your ADHD. This will include medical history and an assessment using the typical ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.
After your evaluation, you will be advised whether medication may be beneficial for your situation. This will be discussed at your follow-up appointment (which may be scheduled in person, by video link or over the phone). Your clinician will discuss the different options for medication available. If you decide to start taking medication, we will offer you the opportunity to increase your dosage to optimize the benefits/side-effects balance for you.
ADHD titration waiting list may take several weeks and involves gradually adjusting your child's medication until the proper balance is achieved. It's not uncommon to need to titrate two or three medicines before determining the most effective one for your child's ADHD symptoms. It is essential that parents are involved in the titration 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 do not decide to return to NHS care, your medication will be given as a private prescription which you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fee). You will be required to attend six monthly appointments to monitor your medication, which includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual reviews are also required.
Follow-up appointments
After the assessment is completed, you will be able to make appointment with your psychiatrist, if necessary. The appointment is typically conducted through a zoom video call. In some instances, it could be possible to have an audio-only consultation to be conducted (again at an additional cost).
At this point, we will discuss any treatment options and agree upon a bespoke individualised ADHD medication titration program. This will include a discussion and review of your medication dosage and any side effects that 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. Medication costs are additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The psychiatrist will also inquire with you about your family history and the impact your ADHD symptoms can have on your life, including any issues with relationships you may be having or other mental health issues you may be suffering from. This is due to the fact that ADHD can be an inheritable condition, and it is crucial to examine any family history that could indicate that you're at risk of developing the disorder.
During the assessment, it is crucial that you are honest and open with the doctor in the sense that they will be using the information you provide to determine if you have the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is an essential step in the process, because if you don't do it, it could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis and consequently an inappropriate prescription of medication.
If you have decided that you would like to receive treatment for your ADHD, we will then schedule a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialize in this field. This can be done at the time of your diagnosis if are keen to begin treatment immediately, or within two weeks if you would like more time to think about the implications of your diagnosis and the possibilities available to you.
We suggest that if are unsure about your preferences, talk with your GP prior to scheduling your private appointment. Certain providers have different guidelines regarding whether they require a GP letter. We also advise to check if your GP accepts a 'Shared Care Agreement', which means that once you are discharged from the clinic you will be returned to them for the prescription for medication.
Medication
For many people who seek an individual diagnosis of ADHD medication is a crucial aspect of their journey. It isn't always easy to obtain an appointment with a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long and GPs may be reluctant to refer their patients to specialist services.
Requesting 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 select an organization that offers a private assessment and titration. This can cut down on wait time by a significant amount and is more convenient if you're working and have a busy schedule.
If you are identified as a candidate for this treatment, your chosen clinician will evaluate you and determine whether or not you require to be titrated on medication. You'll have to complete forms that are different for each provider however the most commonly used ones are self-reporting questions and medical histories that go to your childhood and into adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor to determine if there are circumstances that indicate that you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications, if they have been prescribed.
If you are being titrated the medication will consist of a mixture of stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. These will be carefully examined and monitored to determine the best combination for you. The titration procedure can be long and may require several extra appointments before you are stable.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments is contingent on the type and quantity of medication you are taking. They can be scheduled for monthly or quarterly. Your clinician will check that you are stable with the medication, record any adverse reactions you have experienced and make any needed adjustments to ensure that you remain on a dose that is safe. You'll also have to undergo a regular health check which can include blood pressure, pulse and weight readings and an annual review.
For some individuals it could be because they are satisfied with their medication and don't need an additional discussion regarding their titration. For those who do need further discussions about the titration process and treatment plan, it's possible that they will be referred back to the same private clinic that conducted their initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration appointment will be included in their consultation fee, and they will receive their medication on an individual prescription (see Consultation fees above). This can cost more than prescriptions from the NHS since the pharmacy will charge you for the medication.