Private ADHD Titration

There is a national shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems as well as an increased global demand.

Our service can provide private ADHD testing as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessment fees include the cost of one prescription.

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A thorough assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be conducted with a highly experienced consultant psychiatrist. This includes an examination of your medical history as well as an assessment using the common ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.

Following your assessment you will be advised if medication is considered to be beneficial for your situation. The discussion will take place at your follow-up appointment (which could be in person, by video link or over the phone). Your physician will go over the various options for medications available. If you decide to start taking 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 may take a few weeks and requires gradually altering your child's dosage until the right balance is achieved. It is not uncommon to have to titrate as high as three different medicines before you find the one that best fits your child's ADHD. It is important that parents are involved in the titration process and be aware of their child's behavior so they can inform the doctor if the medication is helping or causing adverse effects.

Unless you have decided to return to NHS care, your medication will be issued with a private prescription which you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fee). You'll need to attend six-monthly appointments to check your medications. This includes pulse and blood pressure measurements. Annual reviews are also mandatory.

Follow-up appointments

After the evaluation what is titration adhd completed and you are satisfied, you can schedule follow-up appointments with your psychiatrist. Usually the appointment will take place via a zoom video call but in certain circumstances it is possible to do an audio-only consultation (again at an additional cost).

At this point we will discuss any treatment options and come up with a unique ADHD medication titration strategy. This will include an assessment of your medication dose and a discussion around any negative side effects you may be experiencing. The cost of these titration appointments is PS150 for face-to face sessions and PS60 for telephone or online video consultations. The cost of medication is additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.

The psychiatrist will ask you questions about your family history, the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your life, and any mental health issues you might be experiencing. ADHD can be a hereditary condition, which is why it's crucial to examine your family history to determine if you are at a higher chance of developing this condition.

During this examination, it is crucial to be truthful and open with the doctor in the sense that they will be using the information you provide to determine whether you are able to meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. This is an essential step in the process as failing to do so could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis and consequently an inappropriate prescription of medication.

If you decide to receive treatment for ADHD we'll schedule a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist who is specialized in this field. This can be done within the first few days of your diagnosis if are keen to begin treatment immediately, or within two weeks if you prefer to take time to think about the implications of your diagnosis and the alternatives available to you.

We recommend that if you are unsure of your preferences, talk to your GP prior to booking your private appointment. Certain providers have different policies regarding whether or not they require a GP letter. We also recommend that you check whether your GP accepts a "Shared-Care Agreement', which means that after you have been discharged from the clinic you will be referred back to them for the prescription for medication.

Medication

For many people who seek a private diagnosis of ADHD medication is a crucial part of their journey. It isn't always easy to obtain prescriptions from psychiatrists on the NHS. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs can be reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.

Inquiring your GP to refer through Right to Choose is one way to avoid this (see psychiatry - UK and ADHD 360). This means you can select one that provides an assessment and titration process adhd service. This will help you to save time and also be more convenient, especially in the event of a hectic schedule.

After you've been identified as a candidate for this treatment the doctor you choose will evaluate you and determine whether or not you need to be monitored for a dose of medication. You'll have to complete forms that differ by provider however the most commonly used ones are self-reporting questions and medical histories dating back to childhood and adulthood. These forms will help your clinician determine if there are circumstances that indicate you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications, when they've been prescribed.

If you are being titrated on medication, it will typically include a mix of non-stimulant and stimulant medications. These will be thoroughly tested and monitored to find the best combination for you. The process of titration can be lengthy and may require a few extra appointments before you are stable on your dosage.

The frequency of your follow-up appointments will be contingent on the type and amount of medication that you are taking. They can be monthly or quarterly. Your physician will make sure whether you are safe with the medication, record any adverse reactions you've experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you remain on a safe dosage. You are required to attend an annual health check-up and routine health exam that includes pulse, blood pressure, and weight measurements.

For some individuals it could be that they are content with their medication and don't need a further discussion about their titration process adhd. However, for those who do need further discussions about the titration process and treatment plan, it's possible to be passed back to the same private clinic that performed their initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration consultation will be part of their consultation fee, and they will be given their medication on a private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This can cost more than an NHS prescription as the pharmacy will charge for the medication.