10 Healthy Private ADHD Titration Habits
Private ADHD Titration
There is a national shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and the growing demand for ADHD medications worldwide.
Our service is able to provide private ADHD testing as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessments cost include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A thorough evaluation of your ADHD symptoms will be conducted by a highly experienced consultant Psychiatrist. This will include a medical history and an assessment using the typical ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.
Following your assessment you will be informed that medication may be beneficial for your situation. The discussion will take place at your follow-up appointment (which could be in person, by video link or by phone). Your clinician will discuss the various medication options available. If you decide to start taking medication, we can help you the option of titrating your dose to optimize the benefits/side-effects balance for you.
This process can take several weeks, and requires gradually altering your child’s medication until the appropriate balance has been achieved. It is not uncommon to have to titrate as high as three different medications before you can find the one that is most suitable for your child's ADHD. It is crucial that parents are involved in the titration process and keep an eye out for their child's behavior so that they can inform the doctor whether the medication is helping or causing adverse reactions.
If you do not decide to return to NHS treatment and have decided to return to NHS care, your medication will be issued with a private prescription which you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in your consultation fees). You'll need to keep up with your appointments every six months to monitor your medication. This includes pulse and blood pressure measurements. Annual exams are also required.
Follow-up appointments
After the evaluation is completed after the assessment is completed, you can make follow-up appointments with your psychiatrist. The appointment usually takes place through a video call using zoom but in certain circumstances it is possible to do an audio only consultation (again at an additional cost).
In this session, we'll discuss treatment options and agree upon a bespoke individualised ADHD medication titration plan. This will include an assessment of your medication dose and a discussion of any possible side effects you might be experiencing. The cost of these titration sessions is PS150 for face-to face sessions and PS60 for online or phone video consultations. The pharmacy will be charged for any medication costs.
The psychiatrist will ask questions about your family history and the impact of your ADHD symptoms on your life, and any relationship problems or mental health issues that you may be experiencing. ADHD is a genetic condition, so it's important to look into your family's history in order to determine if you are at a higher chance of developing this condition.
It is crucial to be honest and transparent with the clinician during the assessment, since the information they receive will be used to determine whether your ADHD fits the diagnostic criteria. This is a crucial step in the process since a failure to do so could result in an incorrect diagnosis and consequently an inappropriate prescription of medication.
If you decide to seek treatment for ADHD we'll schedule a follow-up appointment with a psychiatrist who specializes in this area. This can be done in the wake of your diagnosis if you are keen to begin treatment right away, or within two weeks if you want to think about the implications of your diagnosis and the possibilities available to you.
We recommend that if you are unsure about your preferences, talk with your GP prior to booking your private appointment. Certain providers have different policies on whether or not they require the submission of a GP letter. We also recommend to confirm that 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
For many who wish to obtain an individual diagnosis of ADHD treatment is a crucial element of their treatment. It isn't easy to obtain an appointment with a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs are often reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.
One method to avoid 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 can reduce your wait time significantly and is more convenient if you're working and have a hectic schedule.
If you are referred, your clinician will examine your condition to determine if you require medication titration. You will need to complete forms that differ by provider however the most commonly used ones are self-reporting questions and medical histories that go to your childhood and into adulthood. These forms will help your clinician determine if there are any reasons that suggest you shouldn't be taking ADHD medications, if they have been prescribed.
If titration adhd medications are titrated on medication, it will typically consist of stimulants and non-stimulant drugs. These will be carefully assessed and monitored to determine the right combination for you. The titration can be long and may require several extra appointments before the dose becomes stable.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments will depend on the type and amount of medication you are taking. They can be scheduled for monthly or quarterly. This will include your physician checking to see if you are stable on the medication, noting any adverse effects you've experienced, and making any necessary adjustments to ensure that you're in a safe dosage. You will be required to go to an annual review and a routine health examination which includes pulse, blood pressure, and weight measurements.
Some people may be satisfied with their treatment and therefore do not require discussing their titration further. If you're required to discuss your titration plan or treatment plan in more detail it is likely that you'll be sent to the private clinic who made your initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration appointment will be included in the consultation fee and they will receive their medication via a private prescription (see Consultation fees above). It could cost more than an NHS prescription as the pharmacy will charge for the medication.