WASHINGTON — Many Americans receiving treatment for depression or anxiety say their care does not account for their individual needs, according to a new national survey by the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor.
The survey found that 41% of patients feel they are treated with a one-size-fits-all approach. In Maryland, where mental health distress has increased, the issue resonates with more than 1 million adults struggling with a mental health condition — a 31% rise since 2023, according to NAMI Maryland.
Crystal Nelson, a board-certified psychiatrist in Georgia, said the perception is understandable but that options exist to move beyond standard approaches, including pharmacogenetic testing.
“It’s a simple cheek swab test that any clinician can order on their patient,” Nelson explained. “It will give them some information back telling them how the patient’s genes could impact the outcomes to the medication.”
Nelson said the testing can narrow medication choices from as many as 60 options to as few as three, based on a patient’s genetic results. The survey found that 65% of patients lacked confidence in their current medication, while nearly three-quarters said greater personalization would help.
A 2025 study found that pharmacogenetic testing improved symptom-free remission rates by 41%. Critics note that the evidence base continues to evolve, though Nelson has used the testing for about 11 years and considers it a valuable tool when standard treatments are not effective.
Nelson described one patient who had been hospitalized and tried multiple medications without success.
“She was on medications that were not working, and when we did the GeneSight test, it suggested some medications that I would’ve never gone to,” Nelson recounted. “I put the lady on this medication, and she went into remission on a very low dose. I was able to take her from two medications down to one.”
Nelson encourages patients who feel stuck in their treatment to speak with their provider about testing options.
Southern Maryland residents facing similar challenges with depression or anxiety can discuss personalized approaches with local clinicians. Resources from NAMI Maryland and county health departments provide additional support and information on available services.
Patients interested in learning more about pharmacogenetic testing should ask their mental health provider whether it could be appropriate for their situation.
