We Don’t Guess, We Test: How Personalized Medicine Works at Sensible Psych Meds
At Sensible Psych Meds, we believe that mental health care should be as unique as the individuals we treat. Gone are the days of trial-and-error approaches to finding the right medication. With our personalized medicine approach, we focus on reducing guesswork and delivering more effective results by using advanced genetic testing. Our motto, “We don’t guess, we test,” reflects our commitment to providing tailored treatments that improve outcomes, reduce side effects, and help our patients feel better faster.
In this post, we’ll explore how personalized medicine works at Sensible Psych Meds and why it’s transforming the way psychiatric care is delivered.
What Is Personalized Medicine?
Personalized medicine is an approach that tailors medical treatment to the individual characteristics of each patient. By understanding the genetic makeup of the patient, we can predict how they will respond to certain medications. This eliminates much of the trial-and-error typically associated with psychiatric medication management and helps us find the most effective treatments faster.
At Sensible Psych Meds, we apply this philosophy to mental health care, using genetic testing to guide our decisions on medication choices for conditions like ADHD, ADD, depression, anxiety, and more.
Why We Use Genetic Testing
Genetic testing allows us to understand how your body metabolizes different medications. Every person’s genetic makeup is different, and that means each person responds differently to medications. What works well for one patient might not work for another, and some medications may cause unwanted side effects due to genetic variations.
By analyzing your DNA, we can:
Identify the Best Medications for You: Based on your genetic profile, we can determine which medications are likely to work best for your specific condition.
Avoid Medications That May Cause Side Effects: Genetic testing helps us identify medications that your body may not process well, minimizing the risk of unwanted side effects.
Optimize Dosages: We can use genetic information to determine the right dosage for your body, helping you find the right balance between effectiveness and tolerability.
How It Works at Sensible Psych Meds
Our personalized medicine approach starts with a comprehensive intake session where we get to know you, your medical history, and your treatment goals. From there, we offer genetic testing to all patients, allowing us to take the guesswork out of medication management.
Step 1: Comprehensive Intake Session
Every new patient begins with a 60-minute intake session. During this session, we dive into your medical history, current symptoms, and previous treatments. This helps us understand your overall health and determine if genetic testing is the right option for you.
Step 2: Genetic Testing
If genetic testing is recommended, we’ll take a simple DNA sample (usually a cheek swab). This test is then sent to a lab, where it’s analyzed for genetic markers that can influence how your body responds to psychiatric medications.
Step 3: Tailored Treatment Plan
Once we receive the results, we create a personalized treatment plan based on your genetic profile. Whether you need non-stimulant ADHD meds, antidepressants, or anxiety medications, we’ll use the test results to guide our decisions and ensure you’re receiving the most effective and safest treatment possible.
Step 4: Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustments
As you begin treatment, we’ll schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your progress. Our 30-minute standard follow-up visits allow us to adjust your medication if needed, ensuring your treatment continues to work for you. For patients who have achieved stability, we offer 15-minute quick check-ins to ensure everything remains on track.
Benefits of Personalized Medicine
1. Faster Symptom Relief
By using genetic testing to guide treatment, we reduce the trial-and-error process, meaning you’ll likely find symptom relief faster than with traditional approaches.
2. Fewer Side Effects
Genetic testing helps us avoid medications that may cause negative side effects based on your genetic profile, resulting in a more comfortable treatment experience.
3. More Effective Treatments
Personalized medicine allows us to target the medications that are most likely to work for you, increasing the chances of successful treatment outcomes.
4. Optimized Medication Dosages
Finding the right dosage can be tricky with psychiatric medications. Genetic testing gives us the information we need to determine the correct dosage for your body, reducing the risk of under- or over-medicating.
Personalized Care for ADHD and ADD
One of the most common uses of our personalized medicine approach is in treating ADHD and ADD. For patients who require non stimulant ADHD meds, we can use genetic testing to determine which medications will provide the best focus and symptom control while minimizing side effects. This is particularly beneficial for patients who have struggled with traditional stimulant medications or experienced side effects from those treatments.
Why We Don’t Guess, We Test
At Sensible Psych Meds, our goal is simple: to provide effective, safe, and personalized care that helps you feel your best as quickly as possible. By using genetic testing, we take the guesswork out of psychiatric care, offering treatments that are tailored to your unique needs.
If you’re tired of trying multiple medications with limited success, consider the benefits of personalized medicine. We don’t guess, we test—and that makes all the difference.
Ready to Experience Personalized Medicine?
If you’re interested in learning more about how personalized medicine can benefit your mental health treatment, contact Sensible Psych Meds today. Let’s work together to find the right treatment plan for you, based on science and tailored to your unique genetic makeup.