Genesight Testing

GeneSight® testing helps you benefit from effective psychiatric medications faster and with fewer side effects. Keilah Ford, DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, of KADDs Wellness in Houston, Texas, understands how the intricate interplay between mind, body, and spirit is critical to your mental well-being. She combines medical insight, empathetic listening, and cutting-edge technologies like GeneSight to deliver exceptional mental health care. Call KADDs Wellness today or book a telehealth or in-person appointment online for further information on the advantages of GeneSight testing.

What is GeneSight testing?

GeneSight testing helps your provider determine the most effective medications for mental health disorders. It predicts how your genes might process and respond to various psychiatric drugs. GeneSight testing benefits include:

Effectiveness

GeneSight testing identifies how well medications will likely work for you because of your genetic makeup.

Side effect avoidance

Side effects can happen with any drug, even over-the-counter medicines. Some prescription medication side effects can be highly unpleasant and even dangerous. However, you wouldn’t usually know how your body is going to react until after you start taking a specific drug.

GeneSight testing identifies medications likely to cause side effects in someone with your genetics so your provider can avoid prescribing them.

Dosage accuracy

GeneSight testing helps your provider calculate the optimal dose for suitable medications. It also allows them to adjust the dosage safely throughout your treatment. 

At KADDs Wellness, Dr. Ford delivers personalized care, working with patients on a cooperative diagnostic journey. She analyzes their condition’s root causes and develops a thorough understanding of their unique circumstances.

What conditions benefit from GeneSight testing?

GeneSight testing is valuable for anyone requiring medications for psychiatric disorders, including:

• Major depressive disorder (depression)
• Anxiety disorders
• Schizophrenia 
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Patients with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and other child and adolescent behavioral disorders might also require carefully selected medication.

Many patients with mental health disorders benefit from medications like anti-anxiety drugs, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, stimulants, and antipsychotics. However, multiple types of each medication are available.

Some patients respond well to certain types, while others find them ineffective or experience intolerable side effects. Trial and error is traditionally the only way to discover an individual’s reaction. GeneSight testing helps you avoid a prolonged process to find an effective medication.

What does GeneSight testing involve?

GeneSight’s test consists of a simple, painless cheek swab. You can provide your swab in person at KADDs Wellness or use a convenient patient collection kit at home.

Your swab goes to GeneSight’s labs for analysis, with results typically taking about two days. Dr. Ford can consult with GeneSight’s Medical Affairs team before discussing the results with you.

GeneSight testing is an invaluable process for people with mental health problems. Find out more by calling KADDs Wellness or booking an appointment online today.