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Private ADHD Titration

There is a current national shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due both to manufacturing problems and an increased demand in the world.

Our service is able to offer private ADHD treatment as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessments are free and include the cost of one prescription.

Titration

A thorough assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be carried out by a highly experienced consultant psychiatrist. This includes a medical history and an assessment using the standard ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.

After your examination, you will be advised that medication may be beneficial in your particular situation. The discussion will take place at your follow-up appointment (which could be in person, by video link or by phone). Your doctor will go over the various medication options available. If titration for ADHD decide to start taking medication, we can help you to titrate your dose to ensure the best balance of benefits and side effects for you.

This is a process which may take several weeks. It requires adjusting your child's dosage slowly until the right balance is achieved. It is not unusual to have to titrate two or three medicines before finding the best one for your child's ADHD symptoms. It is essential for parents to participate in this titration process and keep a close eye on their child's behavior to let the doctor know if the medicine is helping or causing adverse effects.

If you decide to return to NHS treatment the medication you take will be provided with a prescription from a private pharmacy that you'll need to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fees). You will be required to attend six monthly appointments to monitor your medication - this includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual checks are also required.

Follow-up appointments

Once the evaluation has been completed, you will be able to make follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist as appropriate. The appointment is typically conducted through a zoom video call. However, in certain instances, it could be possible to have an audio-only appointment to be scheduled (again with an additional cost).

In this session, we'll discuss any treatment options we have and come up with a unique ADHD medication titration strategy. This will include a review of your medication dose and a discussion around any negative side effects you may be experiencing. The titration sessions cost PS150 for face-to-face sessions and PS60 via video or telephone consultation. Medication costs are additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.

The psychiatrist will ask you questions regarding your family history, the impact of your ADHD symptoms on your life and any mental health issues that you might be experiencing. ADHD is a genetic condition, and it's vital to assess your family history in order to determine if you are at a greater chance of developing this condition.





It is essential to be honest and truthful with your doctor during the assessment, since the information they gather will be used to determine whether your ADHD is in line with the diagnostic criteria. This is an important step because an incorrect diagnosis could result in an inappropriate prescription of medication.

If you decide to seek treatment for ADHD We'll set up a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist who specializes in this area. If you'd like to start treatment right away, you can do this at the time of diagnosis. You can also wait for two weeks before considering the implications of the diagnosis and your options.

We suggest that if you are unsure of your preferences, talk to your GP prior to booking your private appointment. Certain providers have different guidelines regarding whether or not they require an GP letter. We also suggest to confirm that 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

The medication process is an essential part of the journey for many people who are looking for a private ADHD diagnosis. It can be difficult to get a prescription from a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long, and GPs may be reluctant to refer their patients to specialist services.

Asking 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 select a provider that offers a private assessment and titration. This can cut down on wait time considerably and can be more convenient if you're working and have a busy schedule.

After you've been referred through this route your chosen doctor will assess you and decide whether or not you need to be titrated on medication. You will be asked to fill in forms that are different for each provider, but the main ones are self-report forms and medical histories from childhood to adulthood. These forms will allow your doctor to determine if there are factors that could mean you shouldn't be taking ADHD medication, even when they've been prescribed.

If you are titrated, the medication will consist of a mixture of stimulants and nonstimulant medications. These will be carefully examined and monitored to determine the right combination for you. The titration process can be lengthy and may need a few extra appointments before you're stable on your dosage.

The frequency of your follow-up appointments will depend on the type and quantity of medication that you are taking. They can be monthly or quarterly. This will involve your clinician checking that you are taking the correct medication, recording any side effects you have had and making any necessary adjustments to ensure that you're on a dose that is safe. You are required to attend an annual review and a regular health check-up that includes pulse, blood pressure and weight measurements.

For some it could be that they are content 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 is possible that they will be referred back to the private clinic that conducted their initial assessment. In this instance the titration is included in the consultation cost. The medication will then be provided through the private prescription. This could cost more than an NHS prescription since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.