I have a bit of pre-history with my depression. For the past 25 years, I’ve had multiple episodes and experiences with different medications. Each episode came with side effects and unresolved symptoms.  I have been a software professional in the manufacturing industry for 40 years with a lot of customer-facing events and travel. I have an outgoing personality and have never suffered from anxiety. I attributed my bouts of depression to stress from a troubled marriage and dealing with long-term physical challenges.

I have had 6 bouts of depression since 2007, with the most recent being the worst. It may have been triggered by an unintentional change in the sleep medication I have been taking for the past 15+ years. It was stopped and changed to another in a day’stime.

I needed help, so I went to see my PCP and was started on yet another medication I had not tried before. For the next 4 or so weeks I continued getting worse, I went back again, and they increased the dose. During this visit my PCP recommended I seek a psychiatrist for some cognitive behavioral therapy; “it will really help you,” she told me.

Bryan D shares his GeneSight success story

I have heard that before. But being a guy it was always a hard thing to consider — seeking out therapy can be frowned upon if you’re a man. But now I was practically desperate because what I was prescribed was not working at all. I listened that day; despite being warned it may take months to get a new patient appointment.

I went home and sat down and Googled away; I found a psychiatric nurse practitioner that was accepting new patients. I filled out the request and I had a virtual appointment in two days! I was comforted by her and did not feel at all like I was expecting to. We reviewed my medical and depression history, and she asked me if I had had ever had a genetic test that analyzes how your genes may affect medication outcomes. I said no, and she ordered a GeneSight test immediately. I received the test kit in the mail 2 days later. I swabbed my mouth and mailed it back.

A few days later my results were back, and she called me that day. She decided to switch me to a medication in the “use as directed” category of my GeneSight report.  With her guidance and mentoring, along with her recommendation to try CBT therapy, I feel like I’m in a place that is at least 80% better than I had been in decades.

Listening to my PCP, accepting I needed psychiatric professional help, and finding a wonderful provider has changed my life. I cannot STOP talking about the GeneSight test and the valuable information it gave to my clinician for my medication treatment.  There is nothing to lose by doing this — only gain! Now I have nothing but hope for an even better future!

Thank you, MHPNP Tabitha and the GeneSight test!

This story is one patient’s personal experience. Other patients may not have the same experience or outcome. 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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