5 Private ADHD Titration-Related Lessons From The Pros

titration process

There is a national shortage of medication to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and a growing global demand.

Our service is able to offer private ADHD testing as an alternative to waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessment fees cover the cost of a single prescription.

Titration

A highly experienced consultant psychiatrist will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your ADHD. This includes medical history and an assessment using the typical ADHD rating scales and questionnaires.

Following your assessment you will be advised that medication may be beneficial in your particular situation. This will be discussed during your follow-up appointment (which may be scheduled in person, via video link or over the phone). Your clinician will explain what medication options are available and, if you decide to start on medication we will offer to titrate dosage to ensure the balance of benefits and side effects for you.

This process could take a few weeks and it involves gradually altering your child's dosage until the proper balance is achieved. It's not uncommon to need to adjust two or three medicines before finding the one that is best for your child's ADHD symptoms. It is important that parents take part in the titration and be aware of their child's behavior, so they can let the doctors know if the medication is helping or causing adverse reactions.

Unless you have decided to return to NHS care, your medication will be provided with an individual prescription that you will need to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in the consultation fee). You must attend six monthly appointments to monitor your medication - this includes pulse and blood pressure readings. Annual checks are also required.

Follow-up appointments

After the evaluation is completed and you are satisfied, you can schedule follow-up appointments with the psychiatrist. The appointment is typically conducted by video conference using zoom. However, in certain instances, it could be possible for an audio-only consultation to be conducted (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 medication dosage, as well as any side effects you may be experiencing. These titration sessions cost PS150 for face-toface sessions and PS60 via telephone or video consultation. Medication costs are additional and are paid directly to the pharmacy.

The psychiatrist will ask you questions about your family history and the effects of your ADHD symptoms on your life and any relationship problems or mental health issues that you may be experiencing. This is because ADHD can be an inheritable condition, and it is crucial that we assess any family history that might indicate that you're at risk of developing the disorder.

It is essential that you are honest and transparent with your doctor during this assessment, as the information they get will be used to determine if your ADHD fits the diagnostic criteria. This is an important step because the wrong diagnosis can result in a prescription for medication that is not appropriate.

If you decide to be treated for ADHD We'll set up an appointment for a follow-up visit with a psychiatrist that is skilled in this area. If you'd like to start treatment right away, you can do this at the time of diagnosis. You can also take two weeks to consider the implications of the diagnosis and the options available to you.

We recommend that if you are unsure about your preferences, talk with your GP prior to booking your private examination. Some providers have different policies on whether they require a GP letter. Make sure that your GP accepts the Shared Care Agreement, which means that you will be referred to them once you leave the clinic for medication prescription.

Medication

For many who wish to obtain a private diagnosis of ADHD, medication is a key part of their journey. It isn't easy to obtain prescriptions from psychiatrists on the NHS. NHS waiting lists are notoriously long, and GPs may be reluctant to refer patients on to specialist services.

One method to avoid this is to ask your GP to refer you through Right to Choose (see psychiatry-uk and ADHD 360). You can select a provider that provides an assessment on your own and the titration. This can help you reduce time and be more convenient, especially if you have a busy work schedule.

After you've been recommended by this method, your chosen clinician will examine you and decide whether or not you're required to be titrated on medication. You will be asked to fill out forms that differ by doctor but the most important ones are self-report questionnaires and medical histories from childhood to adulthood. These forms will allow your doctor to determine if there are factors that could mean you shouldn't take ADHD medication, if they have been prescribed.

If you are being titrated on medication, it will typically be a combination of stimulants and non-stimulant medications. These will be carefully tested and monitored to find the most suitable combination for you. The titration can be a lengthy process and may require multiple appointments before the dose becomes stable.

Depending on the kind of medication you're taking, follow-up appointments can be scheduled either monthly or quarterly. This will involve your clinician checking that you are stable on the medication, logging any side effects you have had and making any adjustments needed to ensure that you remain on a safe dosage. You will be required to attend an annual review as well as a regular health check-up that includes pulse, blood pressure, and weight measurements.

For some people, it may be that they are content with their medication and don't need any further discussion on their titration. If you're looking to discuss your titration or treatment plan more thoroughly, it is possible that you will be referred back to the private clinic who made your initial assessment. If this happens, the titration appointment will be included in their consultation fee, and they will receive their medication via private prescription (see Consultation fees above). This can cost more than an NHS prescription because the pharmacy will charge for the medication.