Private ADHD Titration

There is currently a nationwide shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and increased global demand.

Our service is private ADHD titration instead of 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 conducted with an 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 advised if medication would be beneficial for your specific situation. This will be discussed during your follow-up appointment (which can take place in person, by video link or over the phone). Your clinician will discuss the various medication options available. If you decide to begin medication, we can help you the opportunity to increase your dosage to ensure the best balance of benefits and side effects for you.

This process can take several weeks and involves gradually adjusting your child’s dosage until the appropriate balance is reached. It is not uncommon to have to adjust up to three different medicines before you can find the one that best fits your child’s ADHD. It’s important for parents to take part in this process of titration and keep a close watchful eye on their child’s behavior to inform the doctor if the medicine is helping or causing side effects.

If you decide to go back to NHS treatment you will be issued an individual prescription for your medication. You will be required to pay at the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation cost. You’ll be required to attend six monthly appointments to monitor your medication, which includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual exams are also required.

Follow-up appointments

Once the evaluation has been completed you will be able to book follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist as necessary. The appointment will usually be conducted via zoom video call. However, in certain circumstances, it might be possible for an audio-only consultation to be scheduled (again at an additional cost).

At this point, we will discuss any treatment options we have and agree upon a bespoke individualised ADHD medication titration program. This will include a review and discussion of your medication dose, as well as any adverse effects you might be experiencing. The cost of these titration consultations is PS150 for face to face sessions and PS60 for online or phone video consultations. The pharmacy will charge you for any cost of medication.

The doctor will also ask you about your family background and the impact your ADHD symptoms can have on your life, including any issues with your relationships that you may be having or other mental health problems that you may be experiencing. ADHD can be a hereditary condition, so it’s important to look into your family’s background to determine if you are at a higher chance of developing this disorder.

It is crucial that you are honest and transparent with the clinician during this assessment, as the information they receive will be used to determine whether your ADHD fits the diagnostic criteria. This is an essential step in the process as failing to do so could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and thus an incorrect prescribing of medication.

If you’ve decided that you’d like to be treated for your ADHD We will set up a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialize in this area. If you’d like to start treatment immediately, you can do this immediately following the diagnosis. Or you can wait two weeks to consider the implications of the diagnosis and the options available to you.

We suggest that if you are unsure of your preferences, talk with your GP prior to booking your private assessment. titration ADHD meds have different policies on whether they require an GP letter. We also advise to confirm that your GP accepts a “Shared-Care Agreement’, which means that after you have been discharged from the clinic, you will be returned to them for the prescription for the medication.

Medication

Medication is a key aspect of the treatment process for many people seeking an official ADHD diagnosis. Getting an appointment with an NHS psychiatrist can be a challenge and lengthy. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long and GPs can be reluctant to refer 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). You can choose a service that offers an assessment that is private and the titration. This will help you save time and be more convenient, particularly in the event of a hectic work schedule.

After you’ve been recommended by this method your chosen doctor will evaluate you and determine whether or not you need to be adjusted on your medication. You’ll need to complete forms that differ by provider, but the most common ones are self-reporting questionnaires and medical histories going to childhood and adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor determine any issues that could indicate that you shouldn’t be taking ADHD medications if they are prescribed.

If you are on a titration medication, it is likely to include a mix of stimulants and non-stimulant medications. These will be carefully examined and monitored to determine the most suitable combination for you. The titration process can be long and could require some additional appointments before you are stable on your dose.

Depending on titration for ADHD of medication you are taking, follow-up appointments can be scheduled either monthly or quarterly. Your physician will make sure whether you are safe with the medication, document any adverse reactions you’ve experienced, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you remain on a dose that is safe. You’ll also have to attend a regular health check which can include blood pressure readings, pulse and weight and an annual review.

Some patients may be content with their treatment and don’t need to discuss their titration further. For those who require further discussions regarding their titration and treatment plan it’s possible that they will be passed back to the same private clinic that conducted their initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration appointment will be part of their consultation fee, and they will receive their medication on private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than prescriptions from the NHS because the pharmacy will charge for the medication.