Genetic Testing

Lewis Family Psychiatry offers genetic testing to provide more individualized care. The Wellington, Florida, practice welcomes patients from throughout the state of Florida. As an all-telemedicine practice, patients meet with their providers through video conferencing, phone calls, and text messaging. Call the office or click the online scheduling link to set up an appointment today.  

What is genetic testing?

Genetic testing is medical testing to get a detailed evaluation of your genetic profile. At Lewis Family Psychiatry, genetic testing is essential to psychopharmacology: using medications to treat mental health disorders. 

Through genetic testing, the team can determine exactly which medications work best with your unique genetics and which are likely to be ineffective for you.

Most genetic testing involves a simple cheek swab and is painless.

When might I need genetic testing?

Anyone who needs medication for a mental health disorder can benefit from genetic testing. Some of the disorders that Lewis Family Psychiatry patients often seek treatment for include: 

• Depression 
• Anxiety
• Mood disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Postpartum depression
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The team treats the individual symptoms and side effects of mental health disorders, such as insomnia. 

If the team determines that medication is the right approach for you, they can recommend genetic testing before prescribing. 

What are the benefits of genetic testing?

Genetic testing allows you to avoid many of the drawbacks that come with traditional psychopharmacology treatment such as trial and error prescribing.

Many people who struggle with mental health disorders try two, three, or more medications before finding the right one. 

Most mental health medications, like antidepressants, don’t start working for a few weeks or longer. If you end up trying multiple medications without results, you could continue struggling for months as you wait to see what works.

The genetic testing process allows you to essentially skip this process because the tests reveal which medications may work best with your particular DNA. 

Genetic testing is even more beneficial for people with more than one mental health disorder. It can identify the medications that work with each of your disorders and ensure that any drugs you receive don’t have problematic interactions. 

Genetic testing is taking psychiatry treatment to the next level, and you can be part of that by scheduling an appointment at Lewis Family Psychiatry. Call the office or click the online scheduling link to set up your telemedicine visit today.