Americans are stressing out over the election—and it’s still weeks away!

September 23, 2024Patient

Inserting a ballot to a ballot box. US flag in the background the election is stressing people out A significant 40% of Americans report feeling ‘depressed and/or anxious’ because of the election season, according to the latest GeneSight® Mental Health Monitor: Special Election Series.

“The results of the Special Election Survey show that politics and elections tend to trouble our nation’s mental wellbeing,” said Dr. Thomas J. Valente, a psychiatrist from Leesburg, Florida. “My patients, especially those with significant mental illness, all worry as to how the election will affect them. We want people to know that they do not have to live with depression and anxiety, and that they should be proactively seeking solutions.”

In addition, the Mental Health Monitor revealed that nearly four in ten Americans (38%) say that news and social media around the upcoming election is making them more anxious than usual, as well as that approximately the same number (35%) of Americans already feel “checked out” by the overwhelming amount of news and social media attention.

senior Asian man sitting on the sofa in the livingroom blocking his ears so he will not hear any election news that is making him anxious The survey found that only 2/3 (63%) of Americans who have been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety are currently seeing a healthcare professional for mental health treatment.

For individuals struggling with their mental health, the GeneSight test could be a useful tool as it provides clinicians with information about how a patient’s genes may affect how a person breaks down or respond to certain medications commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

“It is discouraging, but not surprising, to note the percentage of patients diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression who go untreated or undertreated. Research shows that a combination of medication and talk therapy are the most effective treatment methods for depression and other mental health conditions,” said Dr. Valente. “We hope that Americans will consider taking steps to improve their mental health as we get closer to this important election. The GeneSight test is one of the tools I’ve used to help my patients get back on the road to mental wellness.”

The results are the first of three in a series tracking how the election season may affect Americans’ mental health, particularly amidst the ongoing mental health crisis in the United States. The second survey of the Special Election Series will follow in late September, and a third round will take place in October.

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.

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