For years, Madeline Bohlman lit up the pageant stage, radiating confidence in dazzling gowns as crowds erupted in applause, leading her to win not one, but two titles. But behind her captivating smile and poised demeanor was a struggle few knew about.
From childhood, Bohlman had trouble focusing, with her parents and teachers noticing signs as early as preschool. She was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) early on and began taking medication. A few years later, she began struggling with anxiety.
Over time, the symptoms fed into each other in a way that was hard to untangle. What looked like distraction on the surface was often tied to deeper anxiety, making even routine moments feel more overwhelming than they should have. “Being a child with anxiety felt isolating,” Bohlman says. “I remember my parents trying to help. It was frustrating for all of us.”
As she grew older, anxiety manifested as constant worry about everyday situations. “Seeing a counselor didn’t prove to be enough, so I began taking [another] anti-anxiety medication, and that helped offset my symptoms for a few years,” Bohlman says.
It was around this time that her love for pageantry blossomed, eventually leading her to win a teen title in 2021. But by the time she was in college, Bohlman started feeling depressed and anxious at the same time. “It got to a point where I wasn’t getting out of bed, I was not going to classes, and I didn’t want to do things with my friends, and that just wasn’t like me,” she says. “I felt trapped in my own mind.”
The Turning Point
When Bohlman opened up to her clinician about her latest struggles, the clinician suggested the GeneSight test, a pharmacogenomic tool that analyzes how a person’s genetic makeup may affect their outcomes with mental health medications. The test analyzes relevant genetic variations that may impact how a person metabolizes or responds to a medication, which may affect both its effectiveness and side effects. The test includes many commonly prescribed medications for depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions, helping clinicians personalize an individual’s treatment plan using genetic insights.
After nearly a decade on the same prescription, Bohlman was shocked to learn that a person’s genetic makeup could impact their medications. “Taking that test was a pivotal moment in my life,” she says. “I always thought medications worked the same for everyone, but learning about how genetics affects our response to medications was a revelation.”
The process itself is simple. A clinician orders the GeneSight test, and a sample is collected via a quick cheek swab, either in the clinician’s office or at home. The sample is sent to the GeneSight lab, with results typically returned to the ordering clinician within a few days. The test must be ordered by a registered clinician who can prescribe medications—like a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, or psychiatrist—and is used alongside other clinical factors as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
In the U.S., anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health conditions, particularly among women and young adults. Instead of enduring years of trial and error with different medications, tools like the GeneSight test can help clinicians make more informed treatment decisions based on a patient’s genetic profile. Multiple publications, including a recently published study in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, show patient outcomes for depression improved when clinicians had access to the GeneSight test to help inform their mental health treatment decisions.
Life After The GeneSight Test
For Bohlman, switching medications opened the door to a new chapter, one where she felt lighter and more in control. “I started reconnecting with friends and tackling everyday tasks again,” she says. “It felt like I was shedding layers of pressure.”
The transformation has since extended to every aspect of her life, fueling her passion for mental health advocacy. The tragic loss of Cheslie Kryst, a former winner in the same pageant organization, to suicide highlighted the urgency of this mission, prompting Bohlman to work with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to raise awareness. “I realized that sharing my story could help others who feel alone,” she says. “It’s important to show that there is hope and help available.”
For those still navigating the maze of medication, Bohlman has a crucial piece of advice: “Talk to your doctor and explore options like the GeneSight test. It can save you so much time and heartache.” For many patients, cost may also be manageable, with most paying $330 or less out of pocket, depending on insurance coverage.
Bohlman’s journey is a testament to the power of personalized mental health care. With the GeneSight test, Bohlman and her clinician found a treatment approach that allowed her to move forward with confidence.
Today, the woman once known for commanding the stage is equally focused on advocating for more personalized mental health care, reminding us that finding the path forward is about discovering what truly works for you.
To learn more about the GeneSight test and see if it is right for you, visit genesight.com.
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.
The GeneSight test must be ordered by and used only in consultation with a healthcare provider who can prescribe medications. As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of your medical history, other medications you may be taking, your family history, and other factors.
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