Antipsychotic medicine helps many people feel better. But it does not work the same for everyone. Sometimes the medicine works fast. Sometimes it takes weeks. Sometimes it causes bad side effects. One reason is your genes. Genes are like a set of tiny instructions inside your body. They help decide how your body uses medicine. We will explain this in straightforward terms. We will also share how Mind Glamour PLLC can help.
Why Genes Matter
Your body has special tools called enzymes. These tools help break down medicine. Some people have enzymes that work fast. Some people have enzymes that work slowly. If your enzymes work too fast, a medicine might leave your body before it helps. If they work too slowly, the medicine can build up and cause side effects. This is why genes can change how well a medicine works.
How Antipsychotics Work
Antipsychotic medicines help with things like hearing voices, strong fear, or trouble thinking. Some problems get better in a few days. Others take weeks. For some people, it can take up to six weeks to see the full help. Doctors watch your symptoms and your side effects to know if the medicine is working.
Signs Your Medicine Is Working
Here are simple signs that your medicine may be helping:
- You feel less scared or less worried.
- You have fewer strange thoughts or voices.
- You sleep better.
- You can do more things each day.
If these things happen, tell your doctor. If you do not see a change, tell your doctor too. It is okay to ask for help.
When Your Genes Might Make a Difference
If your symptoms do not get better or you have strong side effects, genes might be one reason. Genes can change the speed of enzymes like CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. These enzymes are important for many antipsychotic medicines. Knowing your gene type can give a clue about why a drug helps or causes trouble.
What GeneSight Testing Can Do
GeneSight is a kind of genetic test. It looks at many genes that affect psychiatric medicines. The test can tell your clinician if a medicine may be less likely to work or may need a different dose for you. That can help avoid trial and error with medicines. But no test is perfect. Tests add helpful information, and your doctor uses them with your symptoms and history.
How We Help at Mind Glamour PLLC
We are Mind Glamour PLLC. We offer kind, patient-centered care. We meet you where you are. We use many tools to help you feel better. These include telepsychiatry, so you can see us from home. We also offer GeneSight testing to learn about your genes. If needed, we provide Spravato® and sublingual ketamine therapy, ADHD testing, and medication-assisted treatment for substance use. Dr. Swae Harris leads our team with care and skill. We work with you to find the right plan.
What To Expect If You Try GeneSight
If you choose GeneSight, the test uses a small sample, like saliva. The lab looks at your genes and sends a report to your clinician. The report shows medicines that may be a better fit and those that might need dose changes. Your clinician will use this with what they know about you. This can speed up finding a medicine that helps.
Simple Steps You Can Take Now
- Keep a short diary. Write one or two lines each day about how you feel.
- Talk with your provider about side effects. Tell them what is new or hard.
- Ask if pharmacogenomic testing like GeneSight could help you.
- If you want to see us, we offer telepsychiatry visits to make it easy.
These steps help your care team make good choices with you.
A Careful Note
Genetic tests help, but they do not replace doctors. Your feelings, history, and other tests matter too. Some tests have strong evidence for certain medicines. Others are still new. We will explain what a test result means for you. We will not promise a perfect answer. Instead, we work with you to find the safest path.
Conclusion
If your antipsychotic medicine is not working well or it causes troubling side effects, your genes might hold a clue. We can help you learn more. At Mind Glamour PLLC, we care about you. We combine warmth, science, and real talk. If you want to learn about GeneSight testing, telepsychiatry, or other treatments we offer, reach out. We are here to walk with you.
FAQs
Q. How do I start if I want this test?
Call Mind Glamour PLLC or book a telepsychiatry visit. We will answer your questions and help you take the next step.
Q. Will my insurance pay for the test?
Some insurances do. Some do not. We can help check your insurance and explain the cost.