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Private ADHD Titration

There is currently a national shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing issues and an increase in demand worldwide.

Our service can provide private ADHD testing as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessments are free and include the cost of one prescription.

Titration

A comprehensive assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be carried out by a highly experienced consultant psychiatrist. This will include medical history and an assessment using the typical ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.

After your evaluation, you will be advised if medication is considered to be beneficial for your situation. This will happen at your follow-up appointment (which can be scheduled in person via video link or near by phone). Your doctor will go over the various options for medications available. If you decide to start medication, we can help you to titrate your dose to maximize the benefits/side effects balance for you.

This process may take a few weeks and requires gradually altering your child’s medication until the proper balance has been achieved. It's not uncommon to have to titrate several times 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 eye on their child's behaviour so that they can let the doctor know if the medicine is helping or causing adverse effects.

If you decide to return to NHS treatment you will be issued a private prescription for your medication. You will have to pay the pharmacy. This is not included in the consultation cost. You will need to keep up with your appointments every six months to monitor your medications. This includes pulse and blood pressure measurements. Annual reviews are also required.

Follow-up appointments

Once the assessment has been completed you will be able to schedule follow up appointments with the psychiatrist as necessary. Usually the appointment will take place via a zoom video call, although in certain cases it may be possible to have an audio only consultation (again at an extra cost).

We will then go over the options for treatment and then decide on a bespoke, individualised ADHD medication adjustment. This will include a review and discussion of your medication dosage and any side effects you may be experiencing. The cost of these titration service sessions is PS150 for face-to-face sessions and Near by PS60 for online or telephone video consultations. The pharmacy will be charged for any cost of medication.

The psychiatrist will also inquire with you about your family background and the impact your ADHD symptoms have on your life, as well as any issues with relationships you may be experiencing or other mental health problems that you may be suffering from. ADHD can be a hereditary condition, so it's important to look into your family's background to determine if you are at a higher chance of developing this condition.

It is important to be honest and open with the clinician during this assessment, as the information they receive will be used to determine whether your ADHD is in line with the diagnostic criteria. This is a crucial step, since the wrong diagnosis can lead to inappropriate medication prescription.

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 who specialise in this area. This can be scheduled at the time of your diagnosis if you want to start treatment immediately 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 aren't sure what your preference is We suggest you speak to your GP before booking your private appointment as certain providers have different rules regarding whether they require a GP referral letter or not. Check if your GP accepts the Shared Care Agreement, which means you will be referred to them after you leave the clinic to get a prescriptions for medication.

Medication

Medication is an integral part of the journey for many who are seeking a private ADHD diagnosis. It can be difficult to get an appointment with a psychiatrist on the NHS. NHS waiting lists can be notoriously long and GPs might be reluctant to refer patients to specialist services.

One method to circumvent this is to request your GP to refer you to Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). This means that you can select one that provides a private assessment and titration. This can help you save time and be more convenient, especially if you have a busy work schedule.

Once you've been referred, your clinician will assess you to determine if you need medication adjustment. You'll need to fill out forms that differ by provider, but the most common ones are self-reporting questions and medical histories dating back to childhood and adulthood. These forms will assist your doctor determine any issues that could mean you shouldn't take ADHD medications if they are prescribed.

If you are being titrated on medication, it is likely to be a combination of non-stimulant and stimulant medications. The combination will be carefully tested and monitored to find the most effective combination for you, taking into account any existing conditions you have. The titration process can be long and could require a few extra appointments before you're stable on your dosage.

Depending on the type of medication you are taking, follow up appointments could be scheduled monthly or quarterly. Your doctor will ensure whether you are safe with the medication, record any adverse reactions you've experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you remain on a safe dosage. You will also be required to undergo a regular health check that may include blood pressure, pulse and weight readings as well as an annual check-up.

For some, it may be that they are happy with their medication and don't need any further discussion on their titration. If, however, they do need further discussions about their titration and treatment plans, it's possible to be referred back to the same private clinic that performed their initial assessment. If this occurs, the titration appointment will be part of their consultation fees and they will receive their titrating medication via a private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This could cost more than a prescription from the NHS because the pharmacy will charge you for the medication.