What if the reason your psychiatric medications haven't worked isn't that you're "too complicated"... but because they're the wrong medications for your genetics?
In this episode, Louise sits down with mental health advocate, speech-language pathologist, Founder of the I’m Not Crazy project, and author Kristen Ruth Davis, whose life changed after pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing finally matched her with medications her brain could actually use.
Despite growing up in a loving family with two physician parents, attending Duke University, and doing everything "right," Kristen spent years battling treatment-resistant depression, multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, involuntary holds, self-harm, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and countless medication trials that left her believing there was something fundamentally wrong with her.
Then genetic testing changed everything.
Together, Louise and Kristen unpack why some antidepressants fail, why treatment-resistant depression deserves a deeper conversation, and why pharmacogenetic testing should be a standard part of psychiatric care—not a last resort. They also discuss the dangers of trial-and-error prescribing, the stigma surrounding mental illness, the importance of trusting patients, and why praise and validation can become powerful tools in recovery.
The conversation ends with a thought-provoking question: What does "crazy" actually mean?
Whether you're living with depression, bipolar disorder, supporting someone you love, or simply curious about the future of personalized mental health care, this episode offers hope—and a reminder that sometimes the problem isn't the person. It's the treatment.
In this episode, we discuss:
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing and personalized psychiatry
- Why SSRIs and SNRIs don't work for everyone
- Psychiatric hospitalization and involuntary holds
- Self-harm and suicidal ideation
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Medication stigma and shame
- The importance of patient advocacy
- Why "crazy" deserves a new definition
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a trusted mental health professional or local crisis services. You don't have to do this alone.
Learn more about Kristen and the I'm Not Crazy Project:
Website: https://imnotcrazyproject.org
Instagram: @imnotcrazy.projectFacebook: /imnotcrazyproject
LinkedIn: Kristen Ruth Davis
TikTok: @kristenruthwrites