Genetics, Mental Health, Psychiatric Medications
A new journey in medicine
It’s pretty well known these days, that there are seemingly an endless amount of mental health medications out there for prescribing the many different kinds of psychiatric conditions we now know about. One thing that seems to still stand true after so many years, is the fact that prescribing these are not quite as black and white, as it may be for other diseases.
Theres’s differences, and side effects as with many drugs. Some common, while others extremely rare. With each of us biologically exclusive, there is always the chance for the unknown. All of that however, is much more complex with psychiatric prescribing. It seems like that theory carries more strength for mental health.
It’s no secret. We hear it spoken bluntly about. From therapists, nurses, up to actual MD doctors who are prescribing. Often times their choices are based strongly on past experiences, not so much by textbook, like many other illnesses and diseases.
Prescribing psychiatric medications is a skill that relies so very much on the past. There are multiple categories of drugs, with each category having its very own strengths, weaknesses, side effects, and success rates.
Over time, so of the medications get different types of reputations, some good, while others bad. For the bad ones, eventually, we see that they end up eventually, not getting prescribed anymore, while others work so well, that we see them end up being prescribed to people every single day.
Recently, some new things came to light. Some information that I was aware with for certain medical conditions, but not anything related to mental health.
I’ve heard it called many things, but what I’m really referring to is something called Drug-Gene Testing. While there are many other terms or names, what this study really is about is the process of learning how our genes, and our response to medications all relate.
There are many thousands of different genes in our bodies. Each of them, working on endless different processes in your body. Some, of those thousand are involved with how our bodies react to psychiatric medications for mental health disorders, whether it be depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety, addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc etc.
The road travelled no longer necessarily has to be one, of constant guesses, and second guesses.
I had experience in a similar process about a couple years ago, when I was involved in getting treatment for Hepatitis C. Detailed and complex blood work was done, and gene related testing was able to predict and sometimes determine very accurately how each of the dozen or so medicines would work.
The testing helped my doctor choose which medication would be best for my Hep C. The test ended up being an amazing one, as the choice my doctor ended up making was a great one, as it had me testing negative at week 2, of an 8 week course. And now, for the 18th month in a row, still testing negative. In the medical field for Hep C, that is classified as a cure.
But, to get back to mental health, there is something called the GeneSight Psychotropic Testing. It assists our doctors in determining how the mental health drugs are affected by our DNA.
Giving an accurate determination for which medicines have the best, and worst chances for working effectively for our depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, addictions, schizophrenia or what have you. It is something that many thought we would never have the luxury of having.
While still being a bit new in the mental health world, there are already many health insurance plans covering either the total cost, or a decent portion of the cost.
For some patients whose doctors are really struggling to find good medications for, this entire process is one that can save a huge amount of time and money, and most importantly, saving our health, giving us back our quality of life. Faster, and with much greater results.
Website genesight.com should have the information that can guide anybody interested.
I’m not the doctor, or any type of technician or nurse. I am simply the messenger in the world of mental health.
By Michael Patanella
Michael Patanella is a Trenton, New Jersey Author, Publisher, Columnist and Recovering Addict, covering topics of mental health, addiction, sobriety, mindfulness, self-help, faith, spirituality, Smart Recovery, social advocacy, and many other motivational topics. His articles, memoirs and stories are geared towards being a voice for the voiceless. Helping others out there still struggling.
