There is a current national shortage of medications that treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing issues and increased global demand.
Our service provides private ADHD adjustment instead of waiting for NHS funding via 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 includes a complete medical history and an assessment using the common ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
After your evaluation, you will be informed that medication may be beneficial for your situation. The discussion will take place at your follow-up appointment (which can take place in person, via video link or over the phone). Your physician will go over the different options for medication available. If you decide to begin medication, we will offer you the option of titrating your dose to maximize the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This is a process which can take several weeks and requires adjusting your child’s dosage slowly until the right balance is achieved. It’s not uncommon to to adjust up to three different medications before you find the one that best suits your child’s ADHD. It is important that parents are involved in the titration and keep an eye out for their child’s behavior so they can let the doctors know whether the medication is working or causing adverse effects.
If you decide to return to NHS treatment, your medication will be given as an individual prescription that you’ll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fee). You’ll be required to attend six monthly appointments to monitor your medication. This includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual reviews are also required.
Follow-up appointments
Once the assessment is completed after the assessment is completed, you can make appointment with the psychiatrist. The appointment will usually be conducted by video conference using zoom. In some instances, it could be possible for an audio-only consultation to be conducted (again at an additional cost).
In this session, we’ll 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 dosage of medication and any side effects you might be experiencing. The cost of these titration appointments is PS150 for face-to face sessions and PS60 for online or telephone video consultations. The pharmacy will charge you for any charges for medication.
The psychiatrist will also inquire with you about your family history and the impact your ADHD symptoms impact your life, as well as any issues with relationships you may be experiencing or other mental health problems that you might be experiencing. ADHD can be a hereditary condition, and it’s vital to examine your family background to determine if you’re at a higher risk of developing this disorder.
During this assessment it is vital to be truthful and honest with the clinician who will use the information you provide to determine if you 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 thus an incorrect prescribing of medication.
If you decide to seek treatment for ADHD, we’ll arrange an appointment for a follow-up visit with a psychiatrist that is skilled in this area. If you’d like to begin treatment right away, you can do this at the time of diagnosis. Or you can wait for two weeks before considering the implications of the diagnosis and what options you have.
If you are unsure of what your preference is, we suggest that you speak with your GP prior to scheduling your private appointment as certain providers have different policies about whether they require an GP referral letter or not. Check if your GP accepts the Shared Care Agreement, which means you will be referred to them when you leave the clinic for prescription medication.
Medication
For many people who seek an individual diagnosis of ADHD medication is an important part of their journey. Finding prescriptions from an NHS psychiatrist can be difficult and long-winded. NHS waiting lists can be extremely long, and GPs might be reluctant to refer their 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). You can select a provider who offers an assessment on your own and the titration. This can help you reduce time and be more convenient, especially if you have a busy schedule.
Once you’ve been recommended, Private ADHD Titration your physician will assess you to determine if require medication titration. 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 back to childhood and adulthood. These will help your clinician identify any conditions that could indicate that you shouldn’t be taking ADHD medications if they are prescribed.
If you are titrated on medication, it will typically consist of stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. These will be carefully examined and monitored to determine the right combination for you. The titration procedure can be a lengthy process and may require several extra appointments before your dose is stable.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments will depend on the type and amount of medication that you are taking. They could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. Your clinician will check that you are stable with the medication, record any adverse reactions you’ve experienced and make any needed adjustments to ensure that you remain on a dose that is safe. You will be required to attend an annual review and a routine health examination which includes pulse, blood pressure, and weight measurements.
For some it could be that they are happy with their medication and don’t need an additional discussion regarding their titration. However, for those who require further discussion about the titration process and treatment plan, it is possible that they will be passed back to the same private clinic that made their initial assessment. In this case, the titration will be included in the consultation fee. The medication will then be given via the private adhd titration prescription. It could cost more than an NHS prescription since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.