With the prevalence of mental illnesses today and the painful process of the trial and error approach when it comes to psychiatric medication, you may be wondering if there’s a better way you can tell which types of medication will work best for you. Here is where DNA testing for psychiatric medication comes in.
Also known as pharmacogenetic testing, this genetic test uses a simple saliva sample to provide insights into whether a specific type of psychiatric medication will work for you or tell you the risks that can cause side effects!
Understanding Pharmacogenetics
We all know that everyone responds differently to medication. The reason for this lies largely in our genetic makeup. Did you know that up to 50% of individuals that are prescribed a medication find the first prescribed antidepressants to be ineffective?
Through no fault on anyone’s part, the approach to prescribing psychiatric medication is mostly based on trial and error, and any changes or adjustments are only made after you have been on the medication for some time and find it to be ineffective. With pharmacogenetic testing, this process can become more efficient and effective.
The Benefits of Genetic Testing for Psychiatric Medication
DNA testing for psychiatric medication is increasingly being adopted by healthcare providers.
After the test, you will receive a detailed report highlighting your metabolic response to different types of psychiatric medications. Your doctor can review the results of this report as an additional tool to better prescribe medication.
The test results will also help you understand whether you will respond positively to medications for the treatment of anxiety, clinical depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other mental health conditions. The other benefit is that the test gives doctors insight into which medications are likely to cause adverse side effects, which ones may need lower or higher dosages to be effective for you, and which ones should be used with caution.
Carrying Out the Test
Below is an outline of what you can expect when you order a Mindwell Test from ClarityX:
- You will receive a kit with instructions on how to collect your DNA sample.
- Once complete, simply mail the sample back to us using the prepaid envelope.
- You will receive a copy of your results within 7 -10 days.
If you wish to avoid the painful trial and error process that can take place when it comes to finding the right psychiatric medication our Mindwell Test focuses on your response to over 130+ mental health medications. ClarityX also offers the Max Rx Test which goes beyond mental health that includes an additional 21 therapeutic areas such as cardiology, diabetes, gastroenterology, pain management and more!
