ADHD Medication Titration

Medication for ADHD.

 

ADHD Medication Titration

What is titration?

Medication titration is the process of starting and fine-tuning the dose of medication to find the most effective dose that provides maximum benefits with the least possible side effects for individuals.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) state that medication should only be initiated and regularly reviewed by a healthcare professional that is experienced in diagnosing and managing ADHD. If you already have a diagnosis of ADHD from The Edinburgh Practice or from elsewhere, and you are considering starting medication, you can complete a self-referral form to request medication titration.

Throughout titration you will have regular appointments with one of our Consultant Psychiatrists/Specialty Doctors, who will adjust and monitor your medication until you reach a stable and optimal dose. Consultations can be offered remotely and/or in person.

The Titration Process at The Edinburgh Practice

 If you have been diagnosed outwith The Edinburgh Practice, prior to accepting your referral, we will request that you send us your ADHD Assessment report alongside any other relevant documents to review. Our Clinical Lead will review your assessment report to ensure that it meets best practice guidelines and that all the necessary information is provided.

Initial Consultation

Once your referral has been accepted you will be offered an initial 1-hour consultation with one of our Consultant Psychiatrists/Specialty Doctors.  At this initial appointment, our Consultant Psychiatrist will review your diagnosis of ADHD, your mental and physical health and will advise as to whether it is appropriate for you to start medication. If appropriate, you will discuss medication options available to you with the doctor including potential benefits and side effects.

Before starting medication, we will obtain baseline physical observations such as blood pressure, pulse and weight. You may be asked to send in results of an ECG and/or blood tests if these have been advised by your doctor. Once your baseline observations have been received, these will be reviewed by the doctor and if your observations are within a normal range, you will be ready to start the treatment process and you can then receive your first prescription.

Titration review appointments

During the titration process, you will meet with the doctor for 30-minute titration review appointments every 3-4 weeks to monitor your progress and to adjust your medication where necessary. Your physical observations will be reviewed prior to each new prescription and prior to/at each review appointment.

Post-titration medication reviews

The length of the titration process differs from person to person, however the process usually takes a minimum of 8-12 weeks. You will be fully titrated when your body has adjusted to the new medication, and you have found your optimal dose.

Once you have completed titration and are on a stable dose, you no longer require medication reviews every 3-4 weeks. Our doctors will let you know how often you require medication reviews post-titration, for example this may be every 3 or 6 months initially.

Prescriptions

During titration you do not need to request prescriptions as you will get these at your review appointments. After titration is complete you will need to request prescriptions via the client portal.

If you do not wish to run out of medication, please ensure you request your prescription 14 days before your medication is due to run out. It can be helpful to set a reminder to prompt you to make your prescription request on time.

Shared Care

Shared care is when your NHS GP agrees to enter into a collaborative care agreement with a doctor at The Edinburgh Practice following completion of titration. The GP takes over the responsibility of providing prescriptions, whilst you receive monitoring from The Edinburgh Practice at agreed intervals (e.g. 3 months, 6 months).

We are aware that as of June 2024 many GP practices across Scotland are no longer accepting shared care requests from private healthcare providers. Many GP practices in Scotland are no longer providing shared care to clients with a private ADHD diagnosis due to lack of funding and expertise in the field of ADHD care. If you would like to have the option of shared care, we advise that you liaise with your GP prior to commencing medication with The Edinburgh Practice to find out whether your GP practice will be able to provide shared care for you. The decision of whether GP practices accept clients for shared care is at the discretion of the GP practice.

GP communication

We must write to your GP when we are prescribing medication for you regardless of whether your GP agrees to shared care, this is for safety reasons, so that all involved in your care are aware of the diagnoses you have and the medication you are prescribed.

Our Fees

£360

Initial Psychiatry Titration Consultation (up to 1 hour)

£200

Titration Review Follow Up Appointment (up to 30 minutes)

£200

Post-Titration Follow up Appointment (up to 30 minutes)

£25

Prescription

£35

Prescription outwith appointment

This Friday we are checking in with our Speech and Language Therapist Michelle!
 
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At TEP, we provide ‘gold-standard’ autism assessments, ensuring that individuals and families can access expert clinical assessments in a timely manner.
 
Check out our new practice videos on our YouTube Channel to find out more! (link in bio)
 
#fridaycheckin #theedinburghpractice
This week, TEP are supporting #antibullyingweek!
 
The theme this year is ‘Choose Respect’ which has come about following consultation with teachers and pupils by the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) who are the official organisers of this important week. Teachers and children wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.
 
We know that the term ‘respect’ can mean different things to different people. When we talk about respect, we talk about showing that you value someone, including valuing their feelings, views, and opinions, even if they differ from yours. We also talk about accepting and understanding others, giving others the same consideration you would expect for yourself.
 
We also want to highlight that bullying does not end in the playground, but can continue for adults within the workplace and at home.
 
How to actively ‘Choose Respect’:
 
⭐️Actively listening: making effort to listen to other’s perspective without interrupting
⭐️Use “I” statements: Frame your thoughts and feelings using “I” statements to avoid accusing others
⭐️Stay calm and take breaks if you feel overwhelmed
⭐️Focus on behaviour not character
⭐️Seek common ground
⭐️Reflect and learn
 
We encourage you to always ‘Choose Respect’ even if you don’t always agree with others or even like them.
 
#antibullyingweek #ChooseRespect #mentalhealth #theedinburghpractice
Happy Friday! This #fridaycheckin we are checking in with your sleep with our Clinical Director, Dr Fiona!
 
💭Sometimes, the pace of everyday life barely gives us time to stop and rest. It can make getting a good night’s sleep on a regular basis seem like a dream.
 
😴Sleep is an important part of our daily routine and is essential for good health and wellbeing. Dr Fiona discusses why we may be struggling with sleep, what is “healthy” sleep and the effect of sleep on one’s mental health! Watch until the end for her top tips for a good night’s sleep!
 
💤We encourage to check in with your own sleep routine as it is as important as diet and exercise!
 
#sleep #fridaycheckin #theedinburghpractice #mentalhealth
Today as part of ADHD Awareness Month our Head of Growth and Operations, Hazel and Assistant Psychologist, Frances headed down to Atria One (@atriaone) to share more information about our services and assessments to a range of businesses! 

Head to our website (link in bio) to find out more about our gold standard ADHD assessment and support services for children, young people and adults. 

#adhdawarenessmonth #mentalhealth #theedinburghpractice
Welcome back to another #fridaycheckin! This week we are checking in with our new Child and Adolescent Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Alex Beadel. 

Dr Alex prioritises creating an open, empathetic, non-judgemental, and reassuring environment where young people feel safe and understood. He believes in a collaborative approach, ensuring that a young person’s unique needs and preferences guide the treatment journey.

At TEP, our psychiatrists have expertise across a range of areas including;

💛ADHD
💛Autism
💛Anxiety and Panic Attacks
💛Depression
💛OCD
💛Social and behavioural difficulties
💛Trauma
 
💻For more information about psychiatry, head to our website (link in our bio).

#fridaycheckin #theedinburghpractice #childpsychiatry #psychiatry
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🛏️ Physical rest: We often think of rest as just lying down or sitting, but it can also include stretching, taking a nap, getting a massage, or taking short breaks.
 
🧠 Mental rest: We live in a world that is always ‘on’, and it can be challenging to unplug. Mental rest can include turning off your phone, taking a break from social media, or practicing meditation.
 
💛 Emotional rest: Take a break from the emotional demands we face every day. This can include spending time alone, reducing stress where possible, talking to a trusted friend, practising self care, or spending time in nature.
 
🙋‍♀️ Social rest: We are social beings, but socialising can also be draining. Social rest can include spending time alone, considering when you want to socialise & when you don’t want to, or having a solo picnic, hike or lunch.
 
🔇 Sensory rest: We are constantly receiving sensory input from noise, light, and other stimuli and it can be overwhelming. Sensory rest can include turning off the TV, closing your eyes, spending time in a quiet room, listening to calming music, or practising deep breathing.
 
Remember - rest is not a luxury, it’s a necessity! Embracing and prioritising the different types of rest can help us live healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives 😊

#theedinburghpractice #fridaycheckin #checkinwithourbody