HomeNews & PressGeneSight Mental Health Monitor: Special Election Series Update GeneSight Mental Health Monitor: Special Election Series Update September 17, 2024News & Press Americans’ anxiety toward upcoming Presidential election has increased; mental health expert encourages treatment for those who are impacted Phase II of GeneSight® Mental Health Monitor Election Survey from Myriad Genetics Shows 41% of Americans Report Feeling Anxious as the Election Draws Closer A growing number of Americans are reporting that their moods, anxiety and/or depression continue to be negatively impacted by the upcoming Presidential election according to the latest GeneSight® Mental Health Monitor: Special Election Series, a nationwide survey from Myriad Genetics, Inc., a leader in genetic testing and precision medicine. “In my role, I am not surprised that people are feeling more anxious given the unprecedented events that have already occurred leading up to this election,” said Thomas J. Valente MD, a psychiatrist from Leesburg, Florida. “With three months still to go, I encourage anyone feeling high levels of anxiousness about the election, politics, or the state of the world to consider seeking treatment.” As election campaigning is ramping up, there is evidence that more Americans are feeling the impacts. According to the survey results: Just 43% report their moods are not impacted by the election as of July, whereas in May, 54% reported their moods weren’t impacted. 75% of those already suffering from anxiety and/or depression report that their moods are being negatively affected by the election, an increase from 66% in May. 47% of Americans now feel the news and social media around the upcoming Presidential election has made them more anxious than usual, an increase from 38% in May. The latest monitor results are the second 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 third survey of the GeneSight Special Election Series will follow in October. Dr. Valente encourages those who are struggling with anxiety and/or depression to consider the GeneSight test as part of their treatment plan. “In my practice, the GeneSight test has helped me quickly identify a more appropriate medication, which helps my patients feel better faster.” The GeneSight Psychotropic test is a genetic test that shows healthcare providers how their patient’s genes may affect how they break down or respond to certain medications commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. The GeneSight test reveals which medications may require dose adjustments, be less likely to work, or have an increased risk of side effects based on the patient’s DNA. Read more: Survey Suggests Increased Attention on Mental Health Warranted in the Run-Up to the Election About the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor The GeneSight Mental Health Monitor is a nationwide survey conducted online by ACUPOLL Precision Research, Inc. Phase I was conducted between May 8-15, 2024, and Phase II was conducted between July 23-30, 2024, among a representative sample (n=1000) 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. 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 Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more Healthcare Provider How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied Acts of bullying can cause feelings of fear, loneliness and sadness, as well as depressi... 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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
Patient 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We’re thrilled to share that 3 million patients (and counting!) have now taken the GeneSight test! We're so grateful to the dedicated healthcare providers who... Read more
Patient The Model Minority Myth and Mental Health The model minority myth stereotypes one cultural group, typically Asian Americans, as “intelligent, hard-working, and diligent and therefore more academically, ... Read more
Healthcare Provider How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied How Clinicians Can Help Support Their Patients Who Are Being Bullied Acts of bullying can cause feelings of fear, loneliness and sadness, as well as depressi... Read more