Genetic Counseling (How to Approach the Unknown)

In this episode we sit down with genetic counselor Julia Castro to demystify the world of genetic testing and counseling. They explore how genetic information can help (or sometimes confuse) patients, why more testing isn't always better, and the ethical dilemmas of knowing too much about your future health. Takeaways: Genetic Counseling is More Than Just Testing: It’s about helping patients navigate uncertainty, understand their risks, and make informed decisions about their health and their families. More Testing Isn’t Always Better: Sometimes broad genetic screening raises more questions than answers, creating unnecessary anxiety without clear clinical benefits. Genetics in Psychiatry is Evolving: While tests like pharmacogenetics panels claim to predict medication responses, their real-world usefulness is still debated in psychiatry. Knowing Your Genetic Risks Can Be Empowering—But Also Overwhelming: Predictive genetic testing for diseases like Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s can help some people plan for the future, but for others, it may cause unnecessary distress. The Future of Genetics in Medicine is Expanding Fast: As research grows, neurology, psychiatry, and genetic counseling will continue to overlap, helping doctors and patients make more personalized healthcare decisions. — Want more Dr. Julia Castro: Instagram: @julia_mariec Watch on YouTube: @itspresro Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc. — Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

You may have noticed a new trend lately. Everyone is loud and proud about their mental health struggles (and thank goodness)! For practitioners, this movement is as exciting as it is frustrating. As each mental health taboo falls by the wayside as it enters the cultural zeitgeist, a new aspect of our specialty thus emerges. One we just don’t have enough hours in the day to keep track of, let alone engage with. From better understanding our patients’ (and our own) relationships with their conditions in a changing world, it’s more important than ever that we learn: HOW TO BE PATIENT! Each week, join Dr. Preston Roche (Psychiatry Resident & Digital Influencer) and Dr. Margaret Duncan (Psychiatrist & Content Creator) on their quest to better understand the patients we dedicate our lives to and the evolving paths they’re bound to travel beyond the clinic. By engaging with stories and perspectives that challenge our shared understanding of a condition, we hope you’ll similarly gain new perspectives as we look at our patients, and their mental health struggles, with further nuance and empathy. (And with Dr. & Lady Glaucomflecken producing, we've been mandated to include plenty of weird medical jokes too). Speaking of which, a key part of this is hearing YOUR stories! What’s changed your understanding of patient care? Do you have an experience that shines new light on something we’ve discussed on-air? Get in touch at: howtobepatientpod.com