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Has anyone tried genetic testing to guide antidepressant choices for anxiety?

1 reply

MazzaMaisie · 12/04/2026 18:11

Hi, my dd (21) is autistic and is waiting (a year now) for adhd assessment. GP advised against a private assessment as aftercare not so good as with NHS. She’s been on fluoxetine when she developed anorexia and had a breakdown at 14 and under CAMHS switched to sertraline. It helped with the anxiety and depression somewhat but since CAMHS dismissed her at 18 and she couldn’t cope with university stress she’s struggled past 3 years. She’s on 100mg of sertraline. Always had a raft of coping mechanisms (eats healthy, goes gym, walks every day..). She started open university and is trying to stay positive but her life isn’t what she hoped for - she wants to do lots of things (learn to drive, get a part time job) but anxiety rules her life and can’t move forward. She’s been telling me how even eating is hard work, can’t see things ever getting better, and is basically stuck. I got a golden retriever last year as company for her but she is so anxious now she won’t go out on walks by herself (even though she used to go alone when 14-15), I’ve rven had to start driving her to gym and pick her up as she’s too anxious to walk alone. Over the years I’ve done everything I can think of to support her (dance, gymnastics, piano), I work part time as much as I can afford to support her emotionally. I’m exhausted and not sure where to turn now and to see her regress after really flourishing during A levels is soul destroying. Now to my question - I’m thinking sertraline isn’t helping in the way it did and maybe she needs to try something else. Bupa’s advertise a medication check for £240 which analyses which meds (including antidepressants) work best with you ‘genetics’. I know finding right meds and dosage can be trial and thought this might narrow the field and help with out discussion with GP? I realise meds are not magic bullet but she’s so anxious every day and has really poor executive functioning. Anybody have any experience with this service? Thank you

OP posts:
Iizzyb · 13/04/2026 07:52

this isn’t quite what you were asking for but if I were you I’d rethink the waiting for a diagnosis thing. I was told the same by a consultant paediatrician about dc when he was 9. He’s now 13 and hasn’t reached the top of the waiting list yet. High school senco told me there was no support after diagnosis & also told me about right to choose. In the end we got a private diagnosis & a lot of advice & support in the report. The publicly funded stuff is frankly shocking and I have had to become ‘that parent’ regularly to advocate for his needs.

GP’s often speak very confidently about things they have very limited knowledge ime

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