Private ADHD Titration
There is a national shortage of medications that treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and an increase in demand worldwide.
Our service offers private ADHD titration instead of 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 complete medical history, and an assessment using the typical ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
After your assessment After your assessment, you will be informed whether medication is appropriate for your specific situation. This will take place at your follow-up appointment (which can be scheduled in person by video link, in person or via phone). Your doctor 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 maximize the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This process may take several weeks, and requires gradually altering your child's dosage until the proper balance is reached. I Am Psychiatry is not unusual to need to adjust three or four medications before finding the one that is best for your child's ADHD symptoms. Parents must take part in this process of titration and keep an watchful eye on their child's behavior, so that they can inform the doctor if the medicine is helping or causing adverse effects.
If you decide to return to NHS care and have decided to return to NHS care, your medication will be provided with a prescription from a private pharmacy that you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in the consultation fee). You will be required to attend regular appointments every six months to monitor your medication, which includes blood pressure and pulse readings. Annual exams are also required.
Follow-up appointments
Once the assessment is completed, you can schedule follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist. The appointment usually takes place via a zoom video call, although in certain cases it might be possible to have an audio-only consultation (again at an additional cost).
We will then discuss treatment options and choose the most appropriate, customized ADHD medication adjustment. This will include a discussion and review of your dosage of medication and any adverse effects you may be experiencing. These titrations cost PS150 for face-toface sessions and PS60 by video or phone consultation. The pharmacy will charge you for any charges for medication.
The psychiatrist will ask questions about your family history as well as the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your daily life and any relationship problems or mental health issues that you might be suffering from. This is due to the fact that ADHD is a genetic condition and it is crucial to examine any family history that could suggest that you are at risk of developing the disorder.
It is important that you are honest and transparent with your doctor during this assessment, as the information they gather will be used to determine if your ADHD fits the diagnostic criteria. This is a crucial part of the process, since a failure to do so could lead to an inaccurate diagnosis, and thus an incorrect prescribing of medication.
If you've decided you would like to receive treatment for your ADHD, we will then arrange a follow up appointment with one of our psychiatrists that specialize in this field. If you'd like to begin treatment immediately you can 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 suggest that if are unsure about your preferences, talk with your GP prior to scheduling your private examination. Some providers have different guidelines regarding whether or not they require a GP letter. We also advise to check if your GP accepts a "Shared-Care Agreement which means that after you have been discharged from the clinic, you will be returned to them for the prescription for the medication.
Medication
The medication process is an essential aspect of the treatment process for many people who are looking for an official ADHD diagnosis. Getting a prescription from an NHS psychiatrist can be difficult and lengthy. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs are often reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.
Requesting your GP to refer you to Right to Choose is one way to avoid this (see psychiatry - UK and ADHD 360). You can pick a provider who offers a private assessment service and the titration. This will cut down your waiting time considerably and can be more convenient if you're working and have a full schedule.
If you are referred through this route, your chosen clinician will examine you and decide whether or not you need to be adjusted on your medication. You will need to complete forms that vary by doctor but the most frequent ones are self-reporting questionnaires and medical histories that go back to childhood and adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor to determine if there are any factors that could mean that you shouldn't be taking ADHD medication, in the event that they've been prescribed.
If you are on a titration medication, this will usually consist of stimulants and non-stimulant medications. These will be thoroughly examined and monitored to determine the best combination for you. The titration can be a lengthy process and may require multiple appointments before you are stable.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments will depend on the type and quantity of medication you're taking. They can be monthly or quarterly. This will include your physician making sure that you are on the right medication, recording any side effects you have had and making any adjustments needed to ensure that you're in a safe dosage. You will be required to go to an annual health check-up and routine health examination which includes pulse, blood pressure, and weight measurements.
Some people may be satisfied with their medication and do not require discussing their titration process further. For those who require further discussion about the titration process and treatment plan, it's possible to be referred back to the same private clinic that made their initial assessment. In this instance the titration is included in the consultation fee. The medication will be provided through the private prescription. This can cost more than an NHS prescription since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.