Genetic Testing & Its Role in Treatment
Episode Description
Medication can affect people in many different ways. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and psychiatric nurse practitioner Amanda Daggett talk about genetic testing and its use in discerning how different individuals might react to various medications. Tim and Amanda also touch on some of the facts and myths surrounding genetic testing, including what testing can and can’t indicate and where the science is currently at.What to Expect
- Pharmacokinetics versus pharmacodynamics
- How genetic testing aids mental health treatment
- When to seek genetic testing
Resources: Learn More
- “Pharmacogenetics: How Genetic Testing Can Guide Medicine Decisions,” (kidshealth.org)
Things to Think About
- Genetic testing is a tool, but not an end-all be-all.
- Could genetic testing help you determine the effectiveness of your medicine?
About the Hosts
Amanda Daggett is a board-certified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She diagnoses and treats mental health disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. She strives to provide competent, high-quality, patient-centered, holistic care—which includes therapy and medication management—and work with a team of professionals to help patients achieve optimal wellness.
Transcript
Genetic Testing & Its Role in Treatment
Featuring Amanda Daggett, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Dakota Family Services
Host Tim Unsinn:
Welcome to Mind Your Mind, a podcast presented by Dakota Family Services, an outpatient behavioral health clinic, located in Minot, Bismarck, and Fargo, North Dakota. In this podcast, I will talk with our experts about understanding and nurturing our mental health and wellness. I'm your host, Tim Unsinn. Join me each episode as we explore the intricacies of our minds, decrease the stigma of mental illness, learn practical tips for managing our mental health and wellbeing, and recognize when it's time to ask for help. Join me now to Mind Your Mind.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Welcome to this episode of Mind Your Mind. Our guest is Amanda Daggett. Amanda is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Amanda, great to have you on Mind Your Mind. Our topic is genetic testing. However, before we get to the topic, there's a question I ask all of our guests on Mind Your Mind, and that is why do you do what you do?
Amanda Daggett:
That is a very good question and one I had to think about a little bit. Why I do what I do is I'm really driven to help people and to make a difference in people's lives. Whether that's my patients or my coworkers or my family, I like to help, which a lot of nurses do. We're helpers.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Absolutely. Great answer. So our topic is genetic testing and when I first saw the topic, I'm like, oh, interesting. So what genetic testing is available in psychiatry?
Amanda Daggett:
So we don't have genetic testing to say like, am I at risk for depression or schizophrenia? We don't have a specific genetic marker, like one specific genetic marker that we can identify and test for. What we do have genetic testing for is to see kind of how the body, what it does to medications, and what medications do to the body. So that's pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. So there's certain genes that we've identified that there might be a gene-drug interaction. So we have certain companies that we can test through like GeneSight and Genomind. And what they can tell us is, you know, some people are fast metabolizers or some people are slow metabolizers, so maybe your body is getting rid of that medication really fast and we might need a little bit of a higher dose for it to work. Or your body's getting rid of it really slow, so maybe we need to dose it a little low or we could worry about toxicity or the increased potential for side effects. So that's the pharmacokinetics part. The pharmacodynamics part is what is that drug doing to your body? So there are certain genes that we have identified that, you know, maybe put you at an increased risk for dangerous side effects like Steven Johnson Syndrome and so then we could say, you know what, this medication we should probably avoid because it could be a little more dangerous for you.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Well I can see then how genetic testing aids in treatment of mental illness, right?
Amanda Daggett:
Yes, it definitely does. It's one tool that we can use, so it's not gonna be an end all be all. Like it's not gonna tell us like, yes, this medication is definitely gonna work for you, but it's a tool that we can use where we can say, Hey, maybe we need a little bit higher dose for this to work for you. Or this isn't gonna be the right medication for you because it could be more dangerous for you.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Well, it seems like it's just another tool in the toolbox to help us be better.
Amanda Daggett:
Definitely.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Alright, now as far as the genetic testing, when, when should I get that genetic testing for myself or my child?
Amanda Daggett:
So when I recommend genetic testing is when we have tried several medications and we're just not getting the response that we wanna see. Or you're having side effects from medications. So that's when we could look at that and say, maybe this can help us find the right medication for you.
Host Tim Unsinn:
It seems like genetic testing, it's, you know, it's not something that's commonly heard. Do you, do you get a lot of questions from patients when you start talking about genetic testing?
Amanda Daggett:
Actually I have a lot of patients that ask about it. So I think this is something, I don't know if it's advertised well online or if this is something that's being spread by word of mouth, like other people saying, "Hey, I did this and it really helped me find the right medication." So I actually have a lot of patients coming in asking me about it.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Well that is great to know. So as we think about genetic testing, any other thoughts that you have on it as far as things that maybe, because you mentioned it's, it's not an and all be all.
Amanda Daggett:
Yeah.
Host Tim Unsinn:
So what are some of the, the fallacies about it? Some of the myths and truths.
Amanda Daggett:
Okay. So a lot of people come in with the perception that it is an end all be all. Like it's gonna say, oh, this tells me which medication is gonna work. So that's just a little bit of explaining it better. The other thing is, the science just isn't there yet. Like while we've identified some genes that have, you know, that influence the way the drugs work in our body or what we do to the drug, we haven't identified a lot of them. And I'm sure there's so many more that eventually we will identify. So there's gonna be changes and advances in it. The science just isn't where we would like it to be.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Alright, well it's a good topic. Great topic, interesting topic if you will. As people learn more and more about it, ask more and more questions, I'm sure we'll revisit this topic down the road. As we wrap up our topic being genetic testing, knowing about that. Before we wrap up though, I always have that question I ask our guests before we do, and that is what do you do personally to mind your mind?
Amanda Daggett:
I like to take time at the end of the day to be by myself and unwind. I like to be alone in my room with like just a lamp on, you know, just really quiet and just sit by myself a little bit and allow my body and my mind to calm down.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Great. Great answer. Not a wrong answer. Always a good answer.
Amanda Daggett:
Well, thank you.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Appreciate that. Thank you. So it's always interesting to see how we all take care of our minds, but it's important that we do. Thank you so much for being on Mind Your Mind, Amanda.
Host Tim Unsinn:
Thank you for joining us for Mind Your Mind, a podcast presented by Dakota Family Services. For more information, links to additional resources, contact information, and much more, go to dakotafamilyservices.org.
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Whether it’s from asking someone on a date or applying for a job, we all experience rejection at some point in our lives. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn talks with therapist April Morris about how to cope with rejection, including the common coping stages, the importance of acceptance, and how rejection can impact people differently.;
Borderline Personality Disorder
Like other personality disorders, borderline personality disorder is a commonly misunderstood and stigmatized mental illness. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn talks with Lucas Mitzel, a therapist at Dakota Family Services, about what BPD is, how it affects someone’s behavior, and where to seek treatment if your child has been diagnosed with BPD.;
Psychological Assessments: What to Expect
Do you think you might be suffering from an undiagnosed mental disorder? If so, a psychological assessment might be able to help. In this episode of Mind Your Mind, psychologist Dr. Hannah Baczynski and host Tim Unsinn talk about what to expect from a psychological assessment, including what an assessment might include, what information you might receive from the psychologist, and what you should communicate with your psychologist before and after receiving an assessment.;
Supplements in Psychiatry
In this episode of Mind Your Mind, host Tim Unsinn and Amanda Daggett explore the topic of using supplements for mental health. In addition to talking about some of the most commonly used supplements like melatonin and St. John’s Wort, they also discuss the benefits, the risks, and the research surrounding various supplements.;
Seasonal Affective Disorder (Community Chat Series)
Feeling like you’ve got the winter blues? If you’re noticing symptoms of depression with the change of seasons, it may be a sign that you’re suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. In this special Community Chat episode of Mind Your Mind, therapists Christy Wilkie and Lucas Mitzel discuss the common symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, how it can affect other mental health disorders, and some useful tips, tricks, and resources for managing symptoms of SAD.;
Trying New Things With Confidence
Join Christy and Lucas, therapists at Dakota Family Services, as they share practical tips for building confidence when trying new things. From managing self-doubt to building resilience, this episode will empower you to approach new experiences with a positive mindset.;
Relationships are Hard
In this episode, Christy and Lucas explore why relationships can be so hard. Join them as they discuss the characteristics of both healthy and toxic relationships, talk about the difference between normal conflict and abuse, and help you discover your love languages so you and your partner can best express your love to each other.;
Is Everybody Anxious?
In this episode, Christy and Lucas explore anxiety. Join them as they discuss the signs and symptoms of an anxiety disorder, what you can do to decrease your anxiety, and how to best help loved ones struggling with anxiety.;
Is Everyone Feeling Sad
In this episode, Christy and Lucas explore depression. Join them as they discuss the signs and symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder, what you can do to help yourself feel better, and what you can do to help your loved ones. They will talk about coping strategies, therapy interventions, and ways to help you identify when your child might need extra help.;
Change is Hard
Change is inevitable. Join Christy and Lucas as they explore big and small changes and how they impact you. Learn why change can be so hard, even good change, and discover ways to manage it effectively.;
We Need to Talk About Suicide
In this episode of "Is It Just Me," Christy and Lucas discuss the very important topic of suicide. Listen to learn about risk factors, warning signs, and what you can do to help a loved one who is struggling. Remember, you are not alone. If you need immediate assistance, call 911. If you need to talk to someone, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.;
Do We Need to Get Outside?
Join Lucas and Christy as they explore the power of spending time outdoors on mental and emotional well-being. Discover practical tips, personal anecdotes, and expert insights on the benefits of getting outside and reconnecting with nature.;
Exploring ADHD
In this episode of "Is It Just Me?" Lucas and Christy discuss ADHD, shedding light on its prevalence and impact on daily life. Learn practical strategies for managing symptoms and understand why your friend or loved one with ADHD does the things they do.;
Internet Safety and Mental Health
In this episode of "Is It Just Me?", join our hosts Christy and Lucas as they delve into the complex relationship between the internet and mental health. With the digital age bringing information and social connections to our fingertips, it also presents unique challenges and opportunities for our safety and psychological well-being.;
Boosting Self-Esteem: From Marathons to Daily Triumphs
In this episode of "Is It Just Me?", Christy and Lucas discuss how common it is for people to see themselves differently from others. Using their own personal triumphs and challenges as examples, they outline the things that shape our self-esteem. Additionally, they share simple daily practices to help listeners recognize and celebrate their own personal victories. This episode is filled with tips and engaging stories aimed at encouraging listeners to undertake challenges that foster self-growth and personal confidence.;
Therapy Unveiled: What to Know Before You Go
In this episode of "Is It Just Me," Lucas and Christy talk about what it's like to begin therapy. Feeling apprehensive about starting therapy is normal, but surmountable. Together, Lucas and Christy unravel common myths about therapy and emphasize the role of therapy in disrupting negative life patterns and routines that are no longer serving you.;
Coping with the Back-to-School Blues
In the latest episode of “Is It Just Me?” Christy and Lucas tackle the transition from leisurely summer days to structured school schedules with warmth and wisdom. This episode is a must-listen for parents seeking guidance and strategies to help navigate the shift with confidence. Learn how to handle changes in routine, the importance of communication, and strategies to help the entire family adjust to and embrace the new normal. Listening to this episode can be your first step toward making back-to-school a season of growth and positive change for all.;
The Art of Overcoming Trauma
In this month’s episode of the "Is It Just Me?" podcast, Lucas Mitzel and Christy Wilkie, Dakota Family Services, dive into the complexities of trauma and its therapy. The episode sheds light on Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and the importance of creating a trauma narrative as a cornerstone of healing. The thoughtful discussions aim to educate listeners on the intricacies of trauma, the innovative methods used in therapy, and the role of caregivers in the recovery process. Through expert insights and compassionate storytelling, Lucas and Christy provide practical advice and real-world examples for individuals who have experienced trauma.;
Navigating Life Through Mindfulness
In this episode of “Is It Just Me?”, Lucas and Christy delve into the world of mindfulness and relaxation techniques. From body scans to mindfulness exercises, they provide a soothing experience to help you unwind and distress. Discover practical tips and advice on incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine and learn how to prioritize mental well-being in today's fast-paced world.;
Mindfulness: Body Scan
In this special additional episode of “Is It Just Me” join therapist Lucas Mitzel as he gives listeners a transformative journey within their own body and mind. In this episode, Lucas guides listeners through a soothing body scan to promote calm, mindfulness, and inner peace. This episode offers a unique mixdown of gentle narration, and relaxation techniques, leaving you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and more connected to yourself.;