I am not anti-medication; I take Lamictal and Zoloft. Twenty years ago, when I was 24, my psychiatrist prescribed anti-depressants, and I continued trying different ones for nearly two decades. Other risk factors like substance abuse and childhood trauma play a role in the development of bipolar disorder. While genetic testing may help some people, I think speaking to a medical professional is your best bet for getting a proper diagnosis when it comes to having bipolar disorder. Keep up the good work mate. Family studies suggest that a small number of genes of modest effect are involved in this disorder. I don’t argue with the fact that finding the right medication is an uphill climb. Nevertheless, in the many years that preceded my diagnosis, I could never seem to find a doctor or therapist who could tell me exactly what was “wrong with me.”. Genetic Testing Guides Treatment for Bipolar or Depression Peter Forster August 27, 2014 Diagnosis , Testing We have been using a relatively new assay from a company called Genomind (the Genecept test) in some of our patients with bipolar and/or depression. Because bipolar disorder sometimes has a genetic component, family history can be helpful in making a diagnosis. Psychiatric research labs are now developing tests for personalised drug selection for people with bipolar. Benefits of genetic testing for bipolar treatment. Let me share some of his story in the first person, as he has many times in the past: As long as I can remember, I had been depressed. After a 16-year career in Congress, today I’m dedicated to improving the lives of people around the world who are experiencing mental illness, addiction, and other brain diseases. Complete a comprehensive mental health evaluation. However, most of these genetic variations have been identified in single studies, and subsequent research has not verified them. I believe the test was rushed to market prematurely ($$$) before enough scientific evidence could be collected and evaluated. We all suffer from 1st world issues and having a politician speak out on the subject is enlightening. Very little is known for certain about the genetics of bipolar disorder. Kay Jamison discusses the eugenic quandry we face when a prenatal test for manic depression (bipolar disorder) becomes available. Stay up-to-date with all the latest news, articles, and updates from your community! I happened upon this article while working on a writing assignment about my bipolar 2 diagnosis, and would like to express my gratitude to Mr.. Kennedy, as this is a huge step in proper diagnosis and treatment. Bipolar disorder is a type of mental illness that causes drastic changes in a person’s mood, energy levels, train of thought, and overall ability to function in their day-to-day life. Binge-watching the latest fad series. We cannot acquire the tools we need to manage bipolar disorder until we come to terms with the fact that we have it. No other genetic test currently exists to identify an individual’s positive or negative response to SSRIs. Just a word of caution: you may end up more confused about your situation than when you started. I had the Genesight testing done and frankly, it was a waste of money. Sometimes, the drug side effects are so severe that patients totally abandon their regimen. Instead, I will provide a very simple explanation of genetic testing for bipolar disorder. Just because we live in 1st world nations does not mean we don’t have mental health issues, although I have to say that others in less fortunate nations seem to be able to caope allot better than us. Genesight charges health insurance $3000+ but they NEVER charge the customer more than $250!! It is no secret that many mental disorders are oftentimes mis- and over-diagnosed, keeping pharmaceutical companies in big business with the doctors, but testing genetically would not only get the patients the help they need much quicker, but could help reduce the stigma of mental health disorders with more medical testing as opposed to the more anecdotal apporach. The Limitations of Genetic Testing. Hopefully this can help to further our effort to place mental health conditions in the same category as all other physical illnesses. The RED list! What is Genetic Testing For Mental Illness? This means it is incumbent upon me to hear and learn from people with mental health conditions, including those dealing with bipolar conditions and depression. Genetic Testing Offers Hope to People with Bipolar Conditions. I would gladly give blood, pee in a cup, get a brain scan, or undergo any other type of medical testing to get a definitive diagnosis. It would truly be a breakthrough. Thank you for all of your work towards this testing, Dr. Kennedy. There is a genetic component to bipolar disorder, but researchers are unsure which exact genes are responsible. Psynomics runs two tests that might be of interest to someone who wants to undergo genetic testing for bipolar disorder. But, you could probably assess this risk with the help of a mental health professional by examining your family history and taking an honest inventory of your symptoms. Additionally they have financial assistance and so my college age 19 yr old only paid $25 for her testing after applying for the aid! We live in an age where you can buy a genetic test on the internet, have it shipped to your house, provide a saliva sample, send it back, and get a full report on what your DNA says about you. The standard of care in psychiatry is and has been a trial-and-error process of prescribing drugs to lessen the symptoms of mental illness. His story is one of thousands that show the potential that genetic testing holds as part of a successful treatment plan. Cheers. Your doctor may use several methods to diagnose bipolar disorder: Examine your medical history and symptoms. We learn from each other. Most studies on the GSK3B gene in bipolar disorder have been negative, but one study reported an increased number of copy-number variations (deletions or duplications) within the gene in a … Referred to as personalised medicine, it matches the medication to the individual’s unique genetic profile. Likewise, a negative result does not necessarily mean the disease won’t show up. Some companies are providing information about risk for psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, directly to the consumer that is based on testing of a small selection of genetic variants that have been implicated in these conditions (eg, www.23andme.com). Spending hours on a video game. Some researchers say we are on the verge of having access to such a test. Of course, when bipolar depression rears its ugly head again – and it always does – I know with certainty that I do, indeed, live with bipolar disorder. Religiously checking Facebook. During this time I was also going to appointments for traditional talk therapy; it helped some, but, ultimately, it was like a donut filled with air; it just didn’t feel substantial. Now we’ve learned that genetics plays a powerful role in your predispositions and how you may react to medications. The bipolar test, called Psynome, looks for two mutations in a gene, GRK3, associated with bipolar disorder. One patient dealing with depression I know about is James Crawford. It consists of trying one type of drug after another, and adjusting drug dosing until, hopefully, the patient feels better. Often, a combination of methods is used to make a diagnosis. The second test (and perhaps the one of greater value to “people like us”), Psynome2™, tests for genetic mutations in the Promoter L allele gene. Your email address will not be published. After two medication trials with the same issues (nearly wiping my 3.8gpa student out of graduation contention), we did Genesight testing and discovered that both meds were on her most-likely-to-have adverse reaction!!! This can determine the course of a medical treatment plan. Genetic Testing UK – DNA Test UK – Cutting Edge Technology If you are a doctor working with patients with bipolar disorder pinpointing precisely the right drug or combination of drugs to treat individuals can be extremely beneficial. 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