HomeBlogPatientConcerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Concerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety May 14, 2025Blog, Home Feature Patient, Patient Lisa Roberts has raised a family, reached an impressively high level in her career, and was an anchor for her mother and other family members. When, within a very short period of time, her brother and son were diagnosed with chronic illness, and her mother passed away after a too-brief illness, Lisa was unmoored. She found herself wondering why she was not grieving, why she was not feeling much at all. She did not enjoy her job or even get out of bed in the morning, “My problems were not going away, and I found myself wishing I could just not be here,” said Ms. Roberts. She made an appointment to see Whitnee Brown, a psychiatric nurse practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice in nearby Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Brown worked with Lisa on exercises that could help Lisa accept her grief, and they did help. Yet they both acknowledged that Lisa needed more. They agreed to try a medication treatment plan. Dr. Brown offers the GeneSight® test in her practice and ordered the test for Lisa. The GeneSight test analyzes how a patient’s genes may affect their outcomes to certain mental health medications, providing insight on which medications may require dose adjustments, may be less likely to work, or may have an increased risk of side effects based on their genetics. Lisa Roberts, patient of Dr. Whitnee Brown, DNP, CRNP, PMHNP, FNP, driving on the highway. “I did not have time for a lengthy trial-and-error process for medication; I needed relief,” said Ms. Roberts, “so I was happy to learn about the GeneSight test.” Dr. Brown used Lisa’s GeneSight test results to aid in prescribing a medication, and today she is on a medication that works for her. “I’m here!” exclaimed Lisa. “I am able to help my family members, taking them to appointments, go to my job—in fact, I was just promoted–without wanting to just run away!” Dr. Brown and Ms. Roberts shared their experiences in a multi-media news release to support the most recent GeneSight Mental Health Monitor survey, which examined Americans’ attitudes towards mental health medications like antidepressants. GeneSight Mental Health Monitor Results Nearly nine out of ten (89%) Americans diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety believe mental health medications are somewhat or very effective, yet concerns about potential side effects remain a significant barrier, preventing more than half (52%) of those who have never been on a mental health medication from taking them. The majority of these patients (54%) agree that genetic testing for mental health medications (known as pharmacogenomic or PGx testing) could reduce these concerns. Among those diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety, 62% of patients whose healthcare provider did not use PGx testing wish they had been informed about it. The GeneSight Mental Health Monitor also revealed: 67% of Americans surveyed strongly agree that it is socially acceptable to take medications for mental health 62% of Americans surveyed strongly agree that they would feel comfortable discussing their use of mental health medications with their family 66% of Americans surveyed have a positive view of other people taking mental health medications, with just 5% reporting a negative view. In fact, respondents rated the effectiveness of mental health medications as similar to that of medications prescribed for their high blood pressure (94%), high cholesterol (90%), and arthritis (84%). About the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor The GeneSight Mental Health Monitor is a nationwide survey conducted online by ACUPOLL Precision Research, Inc. between January 24 – February 10, 2025, among a representative sample (n=1089) of U.S. adults age 18+. The margin of error in survey results for the total base population at a 95% confidence interval is +/- 3%. A nationally representative sample of adults aged 18 years or older was recruited and balanced to match U.S. Census quotas across five primary metrics (i.e., age, gender, income, region, ethnicity). In addition to the nationally representative sample, a statistically reliable sample was desired of respondents who were self-reported as being diagnosed by a medical professional with depression or anxiety. The study also used mental health screening instruments, the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) for depression, and the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2) for anxiety, to better understand this population. ACUPOLL has more than 30 years of experience conducting statistically valid research through careful recruiting and quality control measures. Independently Reviewed This survey was independently reviewed on February 26, 2025, by Paul J. Lavrakas, Ph. D. and was found to be “an exceptionally high-quality nonprobability survey whose findings can be trusted with a good deal of confidence.” Lavrakas served the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) as its first Conference Operations chair in 1996-1997, as Program Chair in 1997-1998, and as Senior Counselor at Large in 2008-2010. In 2003, he was the co-winner of the AAPOR Innovator’s award for helping to establish the Standard’s Definitions Manual. He was elected to serve AAPOR as its Vice President, President, and Past President from 2011-2014. In 2019, he was honored with AAPOR’s Exceptionally Distinguished Achievement lifetime award for his contributions to the field of survey research. Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider. The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors. If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful. Healthcare Provider Overcoming Side Effect Concerns: Leveraging Pharmacogenomic Insights to Inform Depression and Anxiety Medication Selection Whitnee Brown, a lifelong resident now practicing in Birmingham, Alabama has nearly an entire alphabet following her name, abbreviations for degrees and certifi... Read more Patient Concerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Lisa Roberts has raised a family, reached an impressively high level in her career, and was an anchor for her mother and other family members. When, within ... Read more Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more Learn more Learn more about GeneSight How to talk to your provider View our clinical studies
Healthcare Provider Overcoming Side Effect Concerns: Leveraging Pharmacogenomic Insights to Inform Depression and Anxiety Medication Selection Whitnee Brown, a lifelong resident now practicing in Birmingham, Alabama has nearly an entire alphabet following her name, abbreviations for degrees and certifi... Read more
Patient Concerns about Mental Health Medication Side Effects Remain a Barrier to Getting Help for Those Diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety Lisa Roberts has raised a family, reached an impressively high level in her career, and was an anchor for her mother and other family members. When, within ... Read more
Patient Common Antidepressant Side Effects Taking an antidepressant can be an effective way to help treat a mental health condition like depression or anxiety. However, these medications can also cre... Read more
Patient MTHFR Mutations: Clinical Implications and Management Strategies MTHFR mutations—changes in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene—have gained increased attention in the medical community due to their potent... Read more
Patient Can an App Help Me Manage My Anxiety? Health and wellness smartphone apps have become so common that if you can name a health goal, desire or condition, you can probably find an app for it. N... Read more
Patient Black Trailblazers of Psychiatry and Mental Health: A Legacy of Healing and Advocacy As we celebrate Black History Month, we want to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of psychiatry and mental heal... Read more
Patient Mindful Moments: Tips for Anxiety If a well-meaning friend or family member has ever told you to “just breathe” when you’re feeling worked up or stressed out, you’d be forgiven if you felt l... Read more
Patient Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year The holidays have ended, and a new year has begun—a time when many embrace a fresh start by setting New Year’s resolutions. This year, why not consider s... Read more
Patient Movement as Medicine: Solutions for Anxiety Moving forward. It sounds like a nice idea, especially when you’re feeling stuck deep in the throes of an anxiety spiral. But it turns out that physically m... Read more
Patient Weight-Loss Drugs and Mental Health: What You Need to Know New medications for weight loss seem to be flying off pharmacy shelves these days. But could they be linked to mental health conditions? Researchers are ... Read more