Genomic Testing in Psychiatry: What Patients Should Know
Written By: Dr. Amanda Lefkowitz
If you've ever struggled to find the right psychiatric medication, you're not alone. Many people spend months or even years trying different medications, adjusting dosages, and managing unwanted side effects before finding a treatment that works. This trial-and-error process can be exhausting and discouraging. Genomic testing in psychiatry offers a different approach, one that uses your unique genetic makeup to guide treatment decisions. At New Path Psychiatry, we believe in providing personalized care that considers every aspect of your health, and genomic testing is one of the tools that can help us do that more effectively.
What Is Genomic Testing?
Genomic testing, also called pharmacogenomic testing, analyzes specific genes that influence how your body processes medications. Everyone's genetic makeup is unique, and these genetic variations can affect how quickly you metabolize a drug, how well it works for you, and whether you're likely to experience side effects. In psychiatry, this information can be particularly valuable because mental health medications affect each person differently.
Traditional prescribing often involves educated guessing based on diagnosis, symptoms, and population-level data. While this approach works for many people, it doesn't account for individual genetic differences. Genomic testing adds another layer of information, helping providers make more informed decisions about which medications might work best for you from the start. This testing is particularly useful for individuals who have struggled with anxiety treatment or depression treatment in the past without finding adequate relief.
How Genomic Testing Works in Psychiatric Care
The process of genomic testing is straightforward and non-invasive. At New Path Psychiatry, we partner with Genomind to provide these assessments when appropriate. The testing typically involves collecting a saliva sample using a simple cheek swab. This sample is then sent to a laboratory where your DNA is analyzed for specific genetic markers related to medication metabolism and response.
The results provide insights into several important areas. First, they can reveal how quickly or slowly your body metabolizes certain medications. This information helps avoid prescribing medications that might not reach therapeutic levels in your system or those that might build up too quickly, causing side effects. Second, the results can indicate which medications you're more or less likely to respond to based on your genetic profile. Third, they can identify potential medication interactions or sensitivities.
Once your results are available, your provider at New Path Psychiatry reviews them carefully and integrates this information into your overall medication management plan. The results don't make treatment decisions for us, but they do provide valuable guidance that, combined with clinical expertise and your input, helps create a more personalized treatment approach.
Who Can Benefit from Genomic Testing
Genomic testing isn't necessary or beneficial for everyone, but certain situations make it particularly valuable. If you've tried multiple medications without success, genomic testing might help explain why previous treatments didn't work and guide the selection of alternatives that are better suited to your genetic profile. This is especially relevant for those dealing with mood disorders, where finding the right medication balance is crucial.
People who have experienced severe or intolerable side effects from psychiatric medications are also good candidates for genomic testing. The assessment can identify which medications you're more likely to tolerate well and which ones might cause problems. This can spare you the distress of experiencing difficult side effects during the treatment process.
Additionally, individuals with complex medication histories or those taking multiple medications may benefit from genomic testing. The results can help identify potential interactions and guide adjustments to create a safer, more effective treatment plan. For those managing ADHD alongside other mental health conditions, this comprehensive approach can be particularly helpful.
What Genomic Testing Can and Cannot Do
It's important to have realistic expectations about genomic testing. While it provides valuable information, it's not a crystal ball that guarantees finding the perfect medication immediately. The results offer probabilities and guidance rather than absolute certainties. Think of genomic testing as a tool that increases the likelihood of finding an effective medication more quickly and reduces the amount of trial and error involved.
Genomic testing also cannot predict how you'll respond to therapy or other non-medication treatments. It specifically addresses how your body interacts with medications at a biological level. Your response to treatment still depends on many factors beyond genetics, including your life circumstances, stress levels, sleep quality, nutrition, and the therapeutic relationship you have with your providers.
The science of pharmacogenomics continues to evolve, and while we've learned a great deal, there's still more to discover. The current testing provides strong evidence-based guidance, but it's not comprehensive for every possible medication or genetic variation. Your provider's clinical judgment, combined with the test results and your own experiences and preferences, remains essential to developing the best treatment plan.
The Patient Experience: What to Expect
If you and your provider decide that genomic testing might be beneficial, the process is designed to be as simple as possible. During your appointment, you'll discuss why the testing might be helpful for your specific situation. If you decide to proceed, the saliva sample collection takes just a few minutes and can be done right in the office or at home, depending on the specific protocol.
The waiting period for results typically ranges from one to two weeks. Once the results are available, you'll schedule a follow-up appointment to review them with your provider. During this appointment, your provider will explain what the results mean in practical terms and how they might influence your treatment plan. This is an opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns you might have.
After reviewing the results, your provider may recommend adjusting your current medications, trying a new medication that your genetic profile suggests might work well, or continuing with your current treatment if it's working effectively. The genomic information becomes part of your overall health record and can guide treatment decisions not just now, but throughout your ongoing care.
Addressing Common Concerns
Many patients have questions about the cost and insurance coverage for genomic testing. While coverage varies by insurance plan, many plans do provide some level of reimbursement. At New Path Psychiatry, we're an out-of-network provider, and we provide superbills that you can submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. The team at Genomind also works directly with patients regarding costs and can provide information about their specific pricing and any available financial assistance programs.
Privacy is another common concern. Genetic information is protected under federal law, and the testing companies we work with follow strict protocols to protect your data. Your genetic information is used solely for the purpose of guiding your psychiatric treatment and is not shared with employers, insurance companies, or other third parties without your explicit consent.
Some patients wonder if they should wait to try genomic testing or do it right away. The answer depends on your individual situation. If you're currently trying your first medication and responding well, testing may not be necessary. However, if you've struggled with finding effective treatment or have concerns about potential side effects based on past experiences, discussing genomic testing with your provider sooner rather than later can be beneficial.
Genomic Testing as Part of Comprehensive Care
At New Path Psychiatry, we view genomic testing as one valuable component of a comprehensive, holistic approach to psychiatric care. We believe that effective treatment addresses both the biological and psychological aspects of mental health. That's why we require all our clients to be actively engaged in therapy alongside medication management. Genomic testing helps optimize the medication component, while therapy addresses the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of healing.
For individuals dealing with conditions like trauma and PTSD or substance use disorders, the combination of precisely targeted medication and ongoing therapeutic support can be transformative. Genomic testing enhances our ability to provide truly personalized care that respects your individuality and unique needs.
Conclusion
Genomic testing in psychiatry represents an important advancement in personalized mental health care. By providing insights into how your body processes medications, it can reduce the frustration of trial-and-error prescribing and help you find effective treatment more quickly. While it's not appropriate or necessary for everyone, it's a powerful tool for those who have struggled with medication side effects or inadequate treatment response.
If you're curious about whether genomic testing might be right for you, we encourage you to bring it up during your next appointment. At New Path Psychiatry, we're committed to exploring every avenue that might help you achieve better mental health and a higher quality of life. Genomic testing is just one of the ways we're working to provide the most informed, personalized, and effective care possible. Together, we can find the path forward that works best for you.
At New Path Psychiatry, we believe that every individual deserves a personalized journey to mental wellness. Whether you’re seeking support through medication management or exploring new avenues of care, our compassionate team is here to help. Take the first step toward finding balance and feeling like yourself again—schedule an appointment with us today.