While nobody can answer this question with 100% accuracy, certain mental health markers help our psychiatrists determine a response specific to you and your needs. Read more here
At Potomac Psychiatry, we are committed to helping you feel better and reaching full recovery as soon as possible. That said, there are certain factors and forces that can predict a faster recovery, and others that will likely result in a longer recovery.
How we treat patients at Potomac
Here at Potomac, we practice what is known as precision psychiatry, which looks to many different biological and behavioral markers to determine the root cause of your distress. One of those markers we take into account is your unique genetic makeup, which we determine via a genetic test (you can read more about genetic testing by clicking here.
As we work to determine the root cause of your emotional pain, we frequently use genetic testing as a baseline. However, many other factors play a role in helping us understand your health, and your needs.
What mental health attributes predict a faster recovery?
When it comes to treating mental illness, certain biological and behavioral markers may predict a faster recovery. These include:
- Recent onset of symptoms
- No prior episodes
- An acute external stress (like a loss) triggered the symptoms
- “Resilience genes”
- Good physical health
- Supportive family and friends
- Satisfying work life
- Mild functional impairment
- Willingness to stick with the treatment plan
If these attributes resemble you, it is possible to begin to feel better within three to four weeks with psychotherapy alone, or combined with supplements or medication guided by genetic testing results. It is possible you may experience a full recovery in about three months.
What mental health attributes predict a slower recovery?
Similarly, there are a few attributes that, when present, can predict a longer road to recovery. These include:
- “Treatment resistance[KA3] ” characterized by prior or current treatments that have not brought about significant relief of symptoms
- Multiple different medication trials that have resulted in little improvement
- Symptoms have been ongoing for years
- Serious childhood or adult trauma
- Multiple “vulnerability genes”
- Serious functional impairment
- Unsupportive family life
- Chronic gut-related symptoms
- Substance abuse
- Multiple physical problems
- Difficulty sticking with a treatment plan, even when you believe in it
If these characteristics remind you of you, we recommend you undergo our Root Cause Psychiatry program, which helps us get to the root cause of what ails you and create a treatment blueprint unique to your symptoms. You can read more about our Root Cause program here.
Helping you to become whole
While we cannot ever guarantee a full recovery, our team is committed to work incredibly hard on your behalf, and you can count on us to provide you with the latest treatments to help you become whole—and to help you feel like you again.