5 Private ADHD Titration Lessons From The Professionals
Private ADHD Titration
There is a current national shortage of medications that treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and an increase in demand worldwide.
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.
Titration
A highly skilled consultant psychiatrist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your ADHD. This includes an examination of your medical history as well as an assessment using the common ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.
After your evaluation After your assessment, you will be informed whether medication is appropriate for your specific situation. This will be discussed during your follow-up appointment (which may be scheduled in person, by video link or over the phone). Your doctor will explain the different options available for you to take medication and, if you choose to begin taking medication, we will recommend titrating the dose to maximize the balance of benefits and side effects for you.
This process can take several weeks and involves gradually adjusting your child's medication until the right balance is reached. It is not uncommon to to adjust up to three different medicines until you discover the one that best suits your child's ADHD. It is essential that parents participate in the titration and keep an eye out for their child's behavior, so they can inform doctors whether the medication is helping or causing adverse effects.
Unless you have decided to return to NHS treatment and have decided to return to NHS care, your medication will be given as 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 need to attend six-monthly appointments to monitor your medications. This includes blood pressure and pulse measurements. Annual reviews are also required.
Follow-up appointments
After the evaluation is completed and you are satisfied, you can schedule appointment with the psychiatrist. The appointment usually takes place via a zoom video call, although in certain cases it may be possible to do an audio-only consultation (again at an additional cost).
At this point, we will discuss any treatment options we have and come up with a unique ADHD medication titration plan. This will include an assessment of your medication dosage and a discussion around any side effects you might be experiencing. These titration sessions cost PS150 for face-to-face sessions, and PS60 via video or telephone consultation. The cost of medication is additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The psychiatrist will ask you questions regarding your family history as well as the impact of your ADHD symptoms on your life, and any relationship problems or mental health issues that you might be experiencing. ADHD is a genetic condition, so it's important to examine your family history to determine if you are at chance of developing this condition.
It is important to be honest and transparent with your doctor during the assessment, since the information they receive will be used to determine if your ADHD is in line with the diagnostic criteria. This is a crucial step, since a wrong diagnosis could result in an inappropriate prescription of medication.
If you decide to receive treatment for ADHD we'll schedule an appointment for a follow-up visit with a psychiatrist who specializes in this area. This can be scheduled within the first few days of your diagnosis if want to start treatment immediately, or within two weeks if you would like more time to consider the implications of your diagnosis and the alternatives available to you.
We recommend that if you are unsure about your preferences, you talk with your GP prior to booking your private appointment. Some providers have different policies on whether or not they require the submission of a GP letter. We also recommend that you check whether your GP accepts a "Shared Care Agreement that means that after you have been discharged from the clinic, you will be returned to them for the prescription for the medication.
Medication
For many who wish to obtain an individual diagnosis of ADHD medication is a crucial element of their treatment. Getting prescriptions from an NHS psychiatrist can be difficult and long-winded. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs are often reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.
Asking your GP to refer you to 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 service. Iam Psychiatry can help you reduce time and be more convenient, especially when you are on a tight work schedule.
After you have been referred, your clinician will assess you to determine if require medication titration. You will need to fill out forms that vary by doctor, but the most common ones are self-reporting questionnaires and medical histories going back to childhood and adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor identify any factors that might mean you shouldn't take ADHD medications if they're prescribed.
If you are being titrated the medication will be a combination stimulants and nonstimulant medicines. The combination will be carefully tested and monitored to find the most effective combination for you, taking into account any current conditions you suffer from. The titration process may be lengthy and may require several additional appointments before you're able to stay on your dose.
Depending on the type of medication you're taking, follow up appointments can be scheduled either monthly or quarterly. This will include your physician checking to see if you are on the right medication, logging any side effects you have had and making any necessary adjustments to ensure you are on a safe dosage. You will also be required to undergo a regular health check, which could include blood pressure readings, pulse and weight as well as an annual review.
For some people it could be because they are satisfied with their medication and don't require a further discussion about their titration. If, however, they do need further discussions about their titration and treatment plan it's possible that they will be passed back to the private clinic that performed their initial assessment. If this happens, the titration appointment will be part of their consultation fee and they will be given their medication on an individual prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than an NHS prescription as the pharmacy will charge for the medication.