When Medications Don’t Work: How Genetic Testing Can Help Personalize Your Mental Health Treatment

Emma had tried nearly everything: antidepressants, mood stabilizers, therapy, even lifestyle changes. Yet the side effects kept piling up, and the relief she hoped for never came.

After years of trial and error, her provider at New Path Psychiatry suggested something different: genetic testing.

Within weeks, Emma’s results revealed that her body metabolized certain antidepressants too quickly and others too slowly. For the first time, her care plan wasn’t based on guesswork, it was based on her. That was the turning point.

What Is Genetic Testing in Mental Health?

Genetic testing, also known as pharmacogenomic testing, looks at how your genes affects the way your body responds to medications. In mental health, this can provide valuable insights into which antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or ADHD medications may be more effective—and which may cause more side effects.

These tests analyze genes involved in drug metabolism and receptor sensitivity. By understanding your genetic makeup, your provider can make more informed choices about medication type and dosage, helping to reduce the frustrating cycle of trying one medication after another.

Some of the most well-known tests available today include GeneSight®, Genomind®, and Andor Labs™, each offering slightly different genetic panels but serving the same purpose—to guide personalized psychiatric treatment and improve outcomes.

How Does Genetic Testing Help?

For patients who’ve experienced medication failure, intolerable side effects, or treatment-resistant symptoms, genetic testing can offer a new layer of clarity. Here’s how:

1. Reduces trial and error – By identifying which medications your body may not process efficiently, you and your provider can focus on options with a higher likelihood of success.

2. Optimizes dosing – Some people metabolize medications too quickly or too slowly, which can affect both efficacy and tolerability. Genetic testing helps find the right balance.

3. Prevents unnecessary side effects – Knowing which medications interact poorly with your genes can help you avoid those with higher risk of fatigue, weight changes, or agitation.

4. Guides next steps after failed treatments – When traditional approaches haven’t worked, genetic testing helps create a more precise, data-driven plan.

   
   

It’s important to note that genetic testing doesn’t diagnose mental health conditions—rather, it provides additional information to guide treatment.

How New Path Psychiatry Uses Genetic Testing

At New Path Psychiatry, we often recommend pharmacogenetic testing for patients who have not responded well to prior medications or who’ve experienced difficult side effects. We integrate test results with your clinical history, current symptoms, and lifestyle factors to design a treatment plan tailored to you—not just to a diagnosis.

Our providers are trained to interpret these tests thoughtfully and ethically. That means:

• We don’t rely solely on genetic reports to make decisions; your lived experience and goals matter just as much.

• We combine results with labs, assessments, and ongoing follow-up.

• We adjust treatment dynamically, using genetics as a roadmap, not a rulebook.

  
  

For Emma, this approach finally helped her find a medication that worked without the extreme fatigue she’d felt before. Within a few months, her energy returned, her anxiety lessened, and she began feeling like herself again.

Should You Consider Genetic Testing?

If you’ve been struggling with your medications—or feel stuck in the cycle of side effects and disappointments—genetic testing may be worth exploring. It’s especially helpful for people who:

• Have tried two or more medications without relief

• Experience strong side effects on low doses

• Have family members with poor medication responses

• Want to take a more personalized, data-informed approach to mental health care

  
  

At New Path Psychiatry, we offer guidance through every step of the process—from ordering your test to interpreting your results and updating your treatment plan accordingly.

Final Thoughts

Genetic testing won’t solve everything overnight, but it can make your treatment journey more efficient, informed, and hopeful. When medication after medication hasn’t worked, it’s a reminder that your brain chemistry isn’t broken—your body simply needs a more customized approach.

At New Path Psychiatry, we believe that understanding your genetics can open the door to more compassionate, precise, and effective care.If you’re ready to explore whether genetic testing could help, schedule an appointment with one of our providers today. Together, we’ll find your new path toward feeling better.

Important Disclaimer

Genetic testing is not a diagnostic tool and cannot determine the presence or absence of a mental health condition. This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or a substitute for professional care. Always consult your qualified healthcare provider regarding any personal health concerns, medications, or treatment decisions. Neither New Path Psychiatry nor the publisher assumes responsibility for any outcome related to the use of this information. Individuals taking prescription or over-the-counter medications should consult their providers before making changes to treatment, supplements, or lifestyle plans.

References

1. GeneSight®. Understanding GeneSight Psychotropic Test Results. Myriad Genetics. https://genesight.com

2. Genomind®. Pharmacogenetic Testing for Mental Health Conditions. Genomind, Inc. https://genomind.com

3. Bousman, C. A., & Dunlop, B. W. (2018). Genetic testing and personalized treatment of depression: Are we there yet? Depression and Anxiety, 35(10), 934–936.

4. Zeier, Z. et al. (2018). Clinical implementation of pharmacogenetic decision support tools for antidepressant drug prescribing. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(9), 873–886.

5. U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). (2018). The FDA perspective on pharmacogenomic testing in psychiatry. https://www.fda.gov

6. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Pharmacogenomics and Mental Health Treatment. https://www.nimh.nih.gov

7. Andor Labs™. Advanced molecular diagnostics and pharmacogenomic testing overview. https://andorlabs.com