From Anxiety to Advocacy: How Pharmacogenomic Testing Helped My Mental Health Journey

By Madeline Bohlman | nami.org

My name is Madeline Bohlman. I’m 22 years old and I recently graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. My degree in Marketing from the Sam Walton School of Business has led to my current position as a Merchandising Senior Analyst at Walmart in nearby Bentonville. I’ve always been passionate about this work—even running my own boutique for a while!

I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder when I was very young—I think I may have been in elementary school. Those early years in school were tough for me. When I got to Fayetteville, I got really involved in pageantry and was crowned Miss Teen Arkansas. I loved the traditions, camaraderie, and the community work that came with the title. But after a while, my anxiety was joined by depression, and I had to step away.

Even leaving the pageant world didn’t make me feel better. My friends started getting really concerned about me, and I had to admit that I needed help.

When I met with my doctor and shared what I’d been experiencing, she told me, “We can try different medications, but it will take some time to figure out what works.” The thought of waiting for results terrified me—I was in a bad place mentally and didn’t have time to wait and deal with medication trial and error. That’s when my doctor mentioned something called pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing.

PGx tests analyze your DNA for genetic variants that may impact how your body metabolizes or responds to certain medications. Information provided by PGx tests can help inform your doctor’s treatment plan for you during their medical evaluation.

I had never heard of PGx testing before, but I was desperate for relief. I took a simple mouth swab test, and about a week later, my doctor received the results. Reviewing them with my doctor, I was surprised—and relieved—to learn that the medication I’d been taking may be affected by my genetics. My doctor decided to switch me to a different medication based on their medical assessment and PGx testing information, and it helped! I’ve been on this new medication for over a year now, and it’s absolutely helped change my life.

Since I took the PGx test and got on a medication that helped with my symptoms, I’ve been able to return to doing what I love. I was crowned Miss Arkansas USA and even competed in the Miss USA pageant. My platform is mental health.

In college, I became an active member of my campus chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Now, I want to share with young women like me—and really, with the world—how pharmacogenomic testing may be able to help you find a better medication so you can finally start feeling better!

**This story is one patient’s personal experience. Other patients may not have the same experience or outcome. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider.

Madeline Bohlman is the reigning Miss Arkansas USA and recently graduated from the University of Arkansas. Passionate about mental health advocacy, she collaborates with organizations like NAMI to promote awareness and support. You can find her on Instagram: @missarusa and @MadelineBohlman.