Genetic Counseling (How to Approach the Unknown)

How to Be Patient

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.

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Want more Dr. Julia Castro:

Instagram: @julia_mariec

Watch on YouTube: @itspresro

Listen Anywhere You Podcast: Apple, Spotify, PodChaser, etc.

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Produced by Dr Glaucomflecken & Human Content

Get in Touch: howtobepatientpod.com

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