Charles Chamberlin asked 2 months ago
Private ADHD Titration
There is a national shortage of medications that treat ADHD symptoms. This is due both to manufacturing problems as well as an increased global demand.
Our service can offer private ADHD titration as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessment fees cover the cost of one prescription.
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 that medication may be beneficial for your specific situation. The discussion will take place at your follow-up appointment (which may be scheduled in person, by video link or by phone). Your doctor titration will explain the different options available for you to take medication and, if you decide to begin taking medication, we will recommend titrating the dose to maximize the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This process can take several weeks, and involves adjusting your child’s medication slowly until the right balance is achieved. It is not unusual to need to adjust two or three medicines before determining the most effective one for your child’s ADHD symptoms. It what is adhd titration essential for parents to participate in this titration process, and keep an watchful eye on their child’s behavior so that they can let the doctor know whether the medication is working or causing adverse effects.
Unless you have decided to return to NHS care the medication you take will be given as an individual prescription that you’ll need to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in the consultation fee). You must keep up with your appointments every six months to monitor your medications. This includes blood pressure and pulse measurements. Annual reviews are also required.
Follow-up appointments
Once the assessment has been completed you will be able to book appointment with the psychiatrist, as necessary. The appointment will usually be conducted by video conference using zoom. However, in some instances, it could 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 plan. This will include an assessment of your medication dosage and a discussion of any possible side effects you might 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 ask you questions regarding your family history as well as the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your life and any relationship problems or titration mental health issues that you might be suffering from. ADHD can be a genetic condition, so it’s important to examine your family history to determine if you are at a higher chance of developing this disorder.
It is crucial that you are honest and transparent to the doctor during this assessment, as the information they gather will be used to determine whether your ADHD meets the diagnostic criteria. This is a crucial step, as a wrong diagnosis could lead to inappropriate medication prescription.
If you decide to be treated for ADHD, we’ll arrange a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist who is specialized in this area. If you’d like to start treatment right away it is possible to start treatment when you are diagnosed. You can also wait for two weeks before considering the implications of the diagnosis and the options available to you.
We recommend that if you are unsure about your preferences, you talk to your GP prior to scheduling your private appointment. Certain providers have different guidelines regarding whether or not they require the submission of a GP letter. Make sure that your GP accepts a Shared Care Agreement, which means you will be referred to them when you leave the clinic for medication prescription.
Medication
The medication process is an essential element of the process for many who are looking for an official ADHD diagnosis. It isn’t always easy to obtain prescriptions from psychiatrists on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long, and GPs may be reluctant to refer patients 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 choose an organization that offers an assessment and titration. This can help you save time and be more convenient, particularly when you are on a tight work schedule.
If you are diagnosed, your doctor will assess your condition to determine if you need medication titration. You will be asked to fill in forms that are different for each provider, but the main ones are self-report questionnaires as well as medical histories from childhood to adulthood. These forms will help your clinician determine if there are any circumstances that indicate that you shouldn’t be taking ADHD medication, even when they’ve been prescribed.
If you are on a titration medication, it will typically include a mix of non-stimulant and stimulant medications. These will be carefully examined and monitored to determine the most suitable combination for you. The titration process can be lengthy and may require a few extra appointments before you are stable on your dose.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments is contingent on the type and amount of medication that you are taking. They can be monthly or quarterly. Your clinician will check whether you are safe with the medication, record any side effects that you’ve experienced, and make any needed adjustments to ensure that you remain on a safe dose. You’ll also have to attend a routine health check which can include blood pressure, pulse and weight readings and an annual review.
For some individuals, it may be that they are happy with their medication and don’t need any further discussion on their titration. 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 performed their initial assessment. If this happens, the titration appointment will be part of their consultation fee and they will receive their medication via private prescription (see Consultation fees above). It could cost more than an NHS prescription as the pharmacy will charge for the medication.