Private ADHD Titration
There is currently a nationwide shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and a growing global demand.
Our service offers private ADHD treatment instead of waiting for NHS funding via Right to Choose. Our assessment fees include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A thorough evaluation 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 standard ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.
After your examination, you will be advised if medication is considered to be beneficial in your case. This will be discussed at your follow up appointment (which could be in person via video link or by phone). Your doctor will go over the different options for medication available. If you decide to start taking medication, we can help you to titrate your dose to optimize the benefits/side-effects balance for you.
This process could take a few weeks and it involves gradually altering your child’s medication until the right balance has been achieved. It is not uncommon to to titrate up to three different medicines before you can find the one that best fits your child's ADHD. It is important that parents take part in the titration process and be aware of their child's behavior so that they can inform doctors if the medication is helping or causing adverse effects.
If you decide to go back to NHS treatment you will receive a private prescription for your medication. You will have to pay for your prescription at the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation cost. You'll be required to attend regular appointments every six months to monitor your medication - this includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual reviews are also required.
Follow-up appointments
After the evaluation is completed after the assessment is completed, you can make follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist. The appointment will usually be conducted by video conference using zoom. However, in certain circumstances, it might be possible for an audio-only consultation to be conducted (again with an additional cost).
We will then discuss treatment options and decide on the most appropriate, customized ADHD medication titration. This will include an assessment of your medication dosage as well as a discussion around any adverse effects you may be experiencing. These titration sessions cost PS150 for face-to-face sessions and PS60 via telephone or video consultation. The pharmacy will be charged for any charges for medication.
The psychiatrist will ask questions about your family history, the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your life and any mental health issues you might be experiencing. This is because ADHD is a genetic condition and it is essential that we assess any family history that might indicate whether you are at risk of developing the disorder.
www.iampsychiatry.uk is crucial that you are honest and open to the doctor during the assessment, since the information they receive will be used to determine whether your ADHD meets the diagnostic criteria. This is a vital part of 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 receive treatment for your ADHD, we will then set up a follow-up appointment with one of our psychiatrists who specialise in this field. This can be scheduled at the time of your diagnosis if want to start treatment right away or within two weeks if prefer to take time to think about the implications of your diagnosis and the options that are available to you.
If you're not sure what you would prefer We suggest you speak to your GP before booking your private assessment as some providers have different policies regarding whether they require a GP referral letter or not. Make sure that your GP accepts a Shared Care Agreement, which means you will be referred to them once you leave the clinic to get a medication prescription.
Medication
For many who wish to obtain a private diagnosis of ADHD treatment is a crucial aspect of their journey. It isn't easy to obtain a prescription from a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long, and GPs might be reluctant to refer their patients to specialist services.
One method to circumvent this is to ask your GP to refer you to Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). You can pick a provider who offers a private assessment service and the titration. This will help you reduce time and be more convenient, particularly if you have a busy work schedule.
Once you've been referred, your clinician will assess your condition to determine if you require medication adjustment. You will be asked to fill in forms that differ by doctor but the main ones are self-report questionnaires and medical histories from childhood to adulthood. These will help your clinician determine any issues that could indicate that you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications if they are prescribed.
If you are being titrated on medication, this will usually be a combination of stimulants and non-stimulant medications. They will be assessed and monitored to determine the best combination for you. The process of titration can be lengthy and may need a few extra appointments before you're stable on your dose.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments will depend on the type and amount of medication you are taking. They can be monthly or quarterly. Your doctor will ensure whether you are stable on the medication, record any side effects that you've experienced, and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you remain on a dose that is safe. You will be required to attend an annual review as well as a routine health examination which includes pulse, blood pressure and weight measurements.
Some people may be satisfied with their treatment and do not have to discuss their titration further. For those who require further discussions regarding their titration and treatment plans, it's possible to be referred back to the private clinic that made their initial assessment. If this happens, the titration appointment will be included in the consultation fee, and they will be given their medication on private prescription (see Consultation fees above). It could cost more than an NHS prescription since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.