titration ADHD medications
There is a nationwide shortage of medications to treat ADHD symptoms. This is due to manufacturing problems and an increase in demand worldwide.
Our service offers private ADHD treatment instead of waiting for NHS funding through Right to Choose. Our assessments cost include the cost of one prescription.
Titration
A thorough assessment of your ADHD symptoms will be conducted with an experienced consultant Psychiatrist. This includes a complete medical history, as well as an assessment using the common ADHD questionnaires and rating scales.
After your assessment, you will be informed whether medication is appropriate for your specific situation. This will be discussed at your follow-up appointment (which can be scheduled in person, via video link or by telephone). Your clinician will explain the different options available for you to take medication and, if you decide to begin taking medication, we will recommend titrating dosage to ensure the benefits/side effects balance for you.
This process could take a few weeks. It involves adjusting the dosage of your child's medication gradually until the appropriate balance is achieved. It's not uncommon to need to titrate several times before finding the one that is best for your child's ADHD symptoms. It is crucial that parents take part in the titration process and be on the lookout for their child's behavior so they can inform doctors whether the medication is working or causing adverse effects.
If you do not decide to return to NHS care the medication you take will be issued with an individual prescription that you'll have to pay for at the pharmacy (this is not included in the consultation fee). You'll 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'll be able to make appointment with the psychiatrist as necessary. The appointment usually takes place via a zoom video call but in certain circumstances it might be possible to do an audio only consultation (again at an extra cost).
We will then go over treatment options and decide on a bespoke, individualised ADHD medication adjustment. This will include a discussion and review of your medication dose and any side effects you may be experiencing. The cost for these titration consultations is PS150 for face-to face sessions and PS60 for online or telephone video consultations. Costs for medication are extra and are paid directly to the pharmacy.
The doctor will also ask you about your family history and the impact your ADHD symptoms can have on your life, as well as any issues with relationships you may be having or other mental health issues you may be experiencing. ADHD can be a genetic condition, and it's vital to examine your family background to determine if you are at chance of developing this condition.
It is crucial that you are honest and truthful with the clinician during the assessment, since the information they gather will be used to determine if your ADHD fits the diagnostic criteria. This is an important step, since the wrong diagnosis can lead to inappropriate medication prescription.
If you decide to seek treatment for ADHD, we'll arrange an appointment for a follow-up visit with a psychiatrist who is specialized in this area. This can be scheduled within the first few days of your diagnosis if are eager to begin treatment immediately, or within two weeks if would like more time to consider the implications of your diagnosis and the alternatives available to you.
We recommend that if you are unsure of your preferences, you talk with your GP prior to booking your private assessment. Certain providers have different policies regarding whether they require an GP letter. We also suggest to check if your GP accepts a "Shared-Care Agreement which means that once discharged from the clinic, you will be returned to them for the prescription for the medication.
Medication
The medication process is an essential element of the process for many people seeking an official ADHD diagnosis. The process of getting prescriptions from an NHS psychiatrist can be a challenge and time-consuming. NHS waiting lists can be extremely long, and GPs may be reluctant to refer their 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). You can select a provider that provides a private assessment service and titration. This will cut down your waiting time by a significant amount and is more convenient when you are working and have a busy schedule.
Once you have been recommended by this method your chosen doctor will examine you and decide whether or not you require to be adjusted on your medication. You'll need to fill out forms that vary by doctor but the most frequent ones are self-reporting questionnaires and medical histories dating back to childhood and adulthood. These forms will allow your doctor to determine if there are circumstances that indicate you shouldn't take ADHD medication, when they've been prescribed.
If you are being titrated, the medication will consist of stimulants and nonstimulant medications. These will be carefully examined and monitored to determine the most suitable combination for you. The titration process may be lengthy and may need several additional appointments before you're stable on your dosage.
The frequency of your follow-up appointments will be contingent on the type and quantity of medication you're taking. They can be scheduled for monthly or quarterly. Your doctor will ensure whether you are stable on the medication, document any adverse reactions you've experienced and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that you remain on a safe dosage. You'll also be required to attend a regular health check that may include blood pressure and pulse readings, as well as weight and weight measurements and an annual check-up.
For some individuals it could be that they are happy with their medication and don't need any further discussion on their titration. However, for those who 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. In this case, the titration will be included in the consultation fee. The medication will be provided through a private prescription. This could cost more than an NHS prescription since the pharmacy will charge for the medication.