Anxiety A Quick Guide to Genetic Testing For Mental Illnesses Genetic testing can not only provide information about your ethnic origin and ancestral history but it can also be used to find the right medication based on your genetic profile. Research has shown significant evidence that certain genes and gene variations are associated with medication metabolism. So what is genetic testing and how can it help you? Read to learn more about genetic testing for mental illness. What is Genetic Testing? Genetic testing analyzes your genetic structure to see if Read
Medication Can Medication Response Testing Get Me On The Right Medication? With the uncertainty about how you might respond to the medication you have been prescribed, the trial and error process of finding the right medication can sometimes feel like a game of chance. As every person’s genetic makeup is unique, it is hard for doctors to predict if the medication they are prescribing you is the perfect fit. Providers sometimes base it on experience with other patients and data from big pharma. Through medication response testing, pharmacogenetics can better guide a pa Read
Depression 6 Symptoms Of Depression To Watch Out For It is normal to feel sad from time to time. However, if that sadness persists, it might be depression. Depression is more complicated than the temporary feeling of sadness – it is a serious medical illness that negatively affects the way you think, how you feel, and how you act. It can also interfere with our daily functionality and everyday activities like work or school. Fortunately, depression is treatable. Determining if what you are experiencing is a result of depression will be the first Read
Depression Finding The Best Medication To Treat Depression From getting an accurate depression diagnosis to starting treatment options, treating depression is a long, complicated process. As the primary form of treatment for depression, antidepressants are unable to cure it but are able to mitigate symptoms such as loss of interest in things you once enjoyed, persistent low mood, feelings of worthlessness, and others. While you are taking antidepressants for your condition, it is important that together with your doctor, you evaluate the risks and benef Read
ADHD 4 Signs Your ADHD Medication Isn't Working Patients diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are prescribed medications that help improve normal brain chemistry. Prior to medication, they may struggle to focus at work or school and find it difficult to get daily tasks done. This often leads to frustration, anger, and stress. Fortunately, ADHD medication is designed to improve a patient’s concentration, attention, and mood by targeting these brain chemicals: norepinephrine and dopamine. Finding the right medication c Read
Medication Comparison Ritalin® vs Adderall®: Find Out Which is Better For You Learn about the differences between Ritalin and Adderall and how to choose the best medication for your needs. Similarities And Differences How Ritalin and Adderall are similar: * They are both approved to treat symptoms of ADHD like focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. * They are both central nervous system stimulants, influencing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. * They can both cause difficulty sleeping and decreases in appetite. How Ritalin and Adderall ar Read
Medication Comparison Prozac® vs. Lexapro®: Which is Better for Me? Recently, doctors have been placing a higher emphasis on taking care of mental wellness. While mental health conditions have been around for ages, they’ve seen an increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to social distancing and quarantine regulations, an increasing number of people have reported experiencing things like stress, anxiety, and major depressive disorder. If you’re going through one of these mental health conditions, it’s important not to suffer in silence and seek help. When left Read
Medication Comparison Paxil® vs. Prozac®: Which Is Better For Me? Learn about the differences between Paxil and Prozac and how to choose the right antidepressant treatment. Paxil® (paroxetine) vs. Prozac® (fluoxetine) Conflicts, work obligations, and daily stresses can take a toll on our mental health, leading to problems like depression and anxiety. If you struggle with mental wellness, it's important to seek treatment, otherwise, the issue can worsen over time. One of the most popular treatments for mental health conditions is antidepressants. In this ar Read
Medication Comparison Metformin® vs Actos®: Which One is Better For You? Actos® or Metformin® Actos and Metformin are both used to treat Type 2 diabetes. They lower blood sugar and reduce the amount of glucose the liver releases by increasing cell insulin sensitivity. Despite the two medications doing the same thing, you have to take a medication response test to know which one is better for your body. How medication is metabolized by your body depends on whether it’s compatible with your genetics or not. A pharmacogenomics test will help you identify which one will Read
Medication Comparison Hydrocodone® vs. Tramadol®: Find Out Which is Better For You Read our hydrocodone vs tramadol guide to learn about the differences between these drugs and help determine which one is best for you. Hydrocodone® vs. Tramadol® In the United States alone, over 50 million individuals suffer from chronic pain. When left untreated, this unrelenting pain makes it difficult to complete essential tasks like going to work, maintaining the home, or caring for young children. To provide pain relief and help patients get their lives back on track, many doctors presc Read
Medication Comparison Zoloft® vs. Lexapro®: Which is Better for Me? Why Is Mental Health Important? From excess schoolwork to career demands, there is no shortage of daily stressors in our lives. As you navigate through these challenges, it’s important to watch out for your mental health. Mental wellness is closely connected to physical health and overall well-being. When your mental health declines, you may experience unpleasant symptoms. These include loss of interest, persistent sadness, trouble sleeping, and loss of appetite. The most common process used whe Read
Medication Comparison Fluvoxamine® vs. Lexapro®: Which Is Better For Me? Discover the differences between fluvoxamine and Lexapro and how to pick the best antidepressants for your health needs. Fluvoxamine® vs. Lexapro® Over 17 million Americans struggle with major depression, a condition characterized by consistent feelings of sadness. Over time, these feelings can escalate and cause poor physical and mental health. To help lower the effects of depression, many healthcare providers prescribe antidepressant drugs, a class of medication that alters chemicals in the Read
Medication Comparison Fluoxetine vs. Fluvoxamine: Find Out Which is Better For You According to a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2015 to 2018 percentage of adults 18 years of age and older 13.2% of the population used antidepressants in the previous 30 days. It was also found within that survey that antidepressant use was higher in women (17.7%) versus the use in men (8.4%).1 In this guide, a closer look at two common antidepressants, fluoxetine (brand name Prozac) and fluvoxamine (brand name Luvox), will be reviewed. In addition, information a Read
Medication Comparison Cymbalta® vs. Lexapro®: Which is Better For Me? Read our Cymbalta vs. Lexapro guide to discover the differences between these antidepressants and how to pick the right prescription drug for you. Cymbalta® vs. Lexapro® While there is a wide range of depression and anxiety treatments out there, many healthcare providers turn to prescription drugs like Cymbalta and Lexapro. Unfortunately, unless you’ve tried them before, it can be dealing with depression and/or anxiety isn’t easy. Although these are two different conditions, both of them can Read
Learn Genetic Testing for Antidepressants & Psychiatric Medications There are an estimated 350 million people all over the world that are debilitated by major depressive disorder (MDD).1 In the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic it has been studied that the incidence of depression in the United States is 3 times higher compared to rates prior to the pandemic.2 COVID-19 has greatly impacted the global economy, quarantine has taken a negative toll on people’s mental health, and many have struggled to find treatments for their conditions. However, the number of Read