--- title: "How Do Your Genes Fit? | Denver Psychiatry Blog" description: "Genetic science has progressed rapidly in the last 20 years. I am not an expert in genetics, so I will not try to explain how this has been accomplished or what specifically has been accomplished. 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For children and adolescents, this includes integrated meetings with parents. By the end of 1-2 visits, you'll have a clear clinical formulation and personalized treatment plan." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Denver Psychiatry treat both children and adults?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, Dr. Steve Sarche is board certified in both general psychiatry and child & adolescent psychiatry. Denver Psychiatry provides comprehensive care for patients ages 10 and older, with age-appropriate treatment approaches." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What mental health conditions does Denver Psychiatry treat?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Denver Psychiatry treats a wide range of mental health conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, situational stress, behavioral problems, and relational difficulties. Dr. Sarche takes a comprehensive, holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Denver Psychiatry offer non-medication treatments?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Absolutely. While medication can be an important part of treatment, Dr. Sarche also emphasizes non-medication modalities including sleep hygiene strategies, lifestyle modifications, stress reduction techniques, and therapeutic approaches. Treatment is tailored to each individual's needs and preferences." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the difference between a D.O. and an M.D. psychiatrist?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) receive the same training as M.D.s but with additional focus on the interconnection between the body's systems. This holistic perspective informs Dr. Sarche's approach to mental health, considering how physical and emotional well-being influence each other." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I schedule an appointment with Denver Psychiatry?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You can schedule an appointment by calling Denver Psychiatry at (303) 393-8808. The staff will help you find a convenient time and answer any questions about your first visit." } } ] }, { "@type": "Blog", "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#blog", "name": "Denver Psychiatry Mental Health Blog", "description": "Expert insights and articles on mental health topics from Dr. Steve Sarche, board-certified psychiatrist in Denver, Colorado.", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/blog", "author": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#physician" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#organization" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "How Do Your Genes Fit?", "description": "Genetic science has progressed rapidly in the last 20 years. I am not an expert in genetics, so I will not try to explain how this has been accomplished or what specifically has been accomplished. Suf...", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Steve Sarche", "jobTitle": "Board Certified Psychiatrist" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Denver Psychiatry", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com" }, "datePublished": "2015-03-02T15:18:57+00:00", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/article/how-do-your-genes-fit" } } ] --- [ Denver Psychiatry Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. ](#home) [](tel:303-393-8808) [ Denver Psychiatry Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. ](#home) [Home](#home) Services ### Conditions We Treat [ ADHD Treatment Child & adult ADHD specialist care ](/adhd)[ Anxiety Treatment Generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety ](/anxiety-treatment)[ Depression Treatment Major depression, bipolar, mood disorders ](/depression-treatment)[ PTSD & Trauma Treatment Trauma recovery focused on full healing ](/ptsd-trauma-treatment) ### Specialty Care [ Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship-trained, ages 10 and up ](/child-adolescent-psychiatry)[ Performance Optimization Precision psychiatry for high performers ](/performance-optimization)[ Medication Management Expert prescription and monitoring ](#services) #### Talk to Dr. Sarche Call to schedule your initial evaluation [Call Now](tel:303-393-8808) About ### About Us [ Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. Board-certified psychiatrist ](#about)[ Our Approach Patient-centered, evidence-based care ](#approach)[ Osteopathic Medicine Holistic medical philosophy ](#resources) Resources ### Educational Resources [ General Information Learn about psychiatry and mental health ](#resources)[ Sleep & Wellness Tips for better sleep and health ](#resources)[ Nutrition & Mental Health Diet's impact on mood and cognition ](#resources) ### Patient Info [ Blog Articles Latest insights and updates ](#blog)[ FAQs Common questions answered ](#faq) #### New Patient? Learn what to expect at your first visit [Learn More](#services) Contact ### Get In Touch [ Contact Form Send us a message ](#contact)[ Call Us (303) 393-8808 ](tel:303-393-8808)[ Our Location 720 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 910N ](#contact) [Call Dr. Sarche](tel:303-393-8808) [Back to Blog](/blog) Medication & Treatment # How Do Your Genes Fit? Dr. Steve Sarche Board Certified Psychiatrist • Monday, March 2, 2015 • 5 min read Share: [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhow-do-your-genes-fit)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhow-do-your-genes-fit&text=How%20Do%20Your%20Genes%20Fit%3F)[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhow-do-your-genes-fit&title=How%20Do%20Your%20Genes%20Fit%3F)[]() Genetic science has progressed rapidly in the last 20 years.  I am not an expert in genetics, so I will not try to explain how this has been accomplished or what specifically has been accomplished.  Suffice it to say, it is brilliant and fascinating. The idea of “messing” with genes can be scary.  Hollywood loves this topic because most of their imaginary outcomes do not go well and make for stories that are as disturbing as they are compelling (See: “The Fly”).  Despite our fears, we must come to terms with the fact that the field of medical genetics is here.    The human genome has been mapped and we have the ability to explore what kinds of diseases and illnesses we are prone to have.  Additionally, in certain illnesses, which medications we may have adverse reactions to, or may or may not respond to. Genes  are blue prints of proteins.  Proteins are the building blocks of who we are physically and mentally. Genes are specific sections of DNA, made up from "base" pairs, which are molecules that write the "code" for genes.  Two strands of genetic material bind together by the base pairs and that forms the double helix design of DNA.   There are about 3 billion base pairs that spiral into DNA.  The DNA is stored in chromosomes in the nucleus of every cell.  The reason for pairs of strands, I believe, is that when cells split to replicate, this ensures that each cell gets identical copies of DNA. It is estimated that 99% of base pairs are the same in all of us; it is the additional 1% of DNA that makes us all so different in the inside and out.   The study of genetics and risks for medical illness is broad and has many applications.  This is not yet the case for the field of psychiatry.  For example, Dr. Phelps (Psychiatric Times February 2015), reports that studies show there are at least 266 genes involved in the development of Bipolar Mood Disorder.  In a nut-shell, this means there are many path-ways to the development of a mood disorder, some more associated than others, but in the end, impossible to find a true genetic causation at this point. This concept underscores what makes treating mental illness so complex.   We have no x-rays, no blood tests, no specific genetic markers that help us diagnose mental illness.  We rely on relationships, history taking, ongoing evaluation of patterns of behavior.   Complicating this approach is the fact that psychiatric illness results in thinking and behavior changes.  These are things that we naturally assume we can simply change by changing a mind-set.  Contrast that to another systemic illness such as heart failure.  For that, there are many tests that prove the changes are not "voluntary", and that help is needed to restore physiologic balance.  More tests can be done to assure the balance is being reached. Despite the perceived lack of science in psychiatry, there is science.  Psychiatric treatment is about treating a biologic system.  That system is the nervous system.   This is a complex system that drives autonomic functions, movement, behavior, thought, and feeling.  If we consistently feel wrong or bad, that means there is a problem with that system.  Although causal genetic markers for mental illness remain elusive, there are still genetic applications for treating mental illness.  There is “pharmaco-genetics”, not discussed in this article.  There is also the field of “epigenetics”. Epigenetics is “the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.”  In other words, production from certain genes can be turned on or off by environmental or physiological influence.  If a person has a gene that can cause a variant protein that can cause mental illness, stressors like physical abuse or substance abuse may cause that variant to be expressed.      There are also protective factors of genetic expression.   An example is maternal love.   A study from 2004 showed that the quality of a rat mother’s care significantly affects how its offspring behave in adulthood; rat pups that had been repeatedly groomed by their mothers during the first week of life were subsequently better at coping with stressful situations than pups who received little or no contact. (Reported by Bell, C, “The Telegraph”, October 16, 2013).   Applying this relatively new science to psychiatry, a focus for people with “toxic” stress in their lives is to help figure out how to better manage that or, if possible eliminate it.  If a person is staying up until 3am to binge watch reality TV or play video games, educate on how those habits could alter certain genetic expression.   Focus on how substance abuse can do the same.  With that, we can educate on how medication treatments will likely be less effective in scenarios with toxic stress.    People with mental illness, in other words, a nervous system dysfunction or imbalance, can get better.  This is accomplished with therapy, with medications as needed, with direct attention to changing life-style, and with work on eliminating certain stressors if possible, and with managing the basic stress that life can bring. You’ve heard the line: “I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.”  Perhaps we should update that to something like, “I’d rather handle my genetic biology than rely on winning the genetic lottery”. Share: [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhow-do-your-genes-fit)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhow-do-your-genes-fit&text=How%20Do%20Your%20Genes%20Fit%3F)[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fhow-do-your-genes-fit&title=How%20Do%20Your%20Genes%20Fit%3F)[]() ### Need Help With Your Mental Health? Dr. Steve Sarche provides compassionate psychiatric care for children, adolescents, and adults in the Denver area. [Call to Speak With Dr. Sarche](tel:303-393-8808) ### Get new articles from Dr. Sarche We'll only email you when Dr. Sarche publishes a new article. Unsubscribe anytime. 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