Nearly 2 Million Teens Depressed, Government Urges Screening for All
Most teens are undiagnosed and untreated, said the panel, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which sets guidelines for doctors on a host of health issues.
An estimated 6 percent of U.S. teenagers are clinically depressed. Evidence shows that detailed but simple questionnaires can accurately diagnose depression in primary-care settings such as a pediatrician's office.
The task force said that when followed by treatment, including psychotherapy, screening can help improve symptoms and help kids cope. Because depression can lead to persistent sadness, social isolation, school problems and even suicide, screening to treat it early is crucial, the panel said.
Because depression is so common, "you will miss a lot if you only screen high-risk groups," said Dr. Ned Calonge, task force chairman and chief medical officer for Colorado's Department of Public Health and Environment.
The group recommends research-tested screening tests even for kids without symptoms. It cited two questionnaires that focus on depression tip-offs, such as mood, anxiety, appetite and substance abuse. It is stressed that the panel does not want its advice to lead to drug treatment alone, particularly antidepressants that have been linked with increased risks for suicidal thoughts.
The recommendations come at a pivotal time for treatment of depression and other mental health problems in children. Recently passed federal mental health equity legislation mandates equal coverage for mental and physical ailments in insurance plans offering both. The law is expected to prompt many more adults and children to seek mental health care.
I think this is a great thing. All teenagers should be screen for depression. This is a serious issue and it can cause great damage to the life of the actual teenage or their family members as well. This is a issue that doesn’t just effect one person, it effects so many individuals. This is something we can prevent as well. We should all be made aware of how to detect the symptoms that comes along with depression. I am going into teaching and I feel that all teachers along with parents should have to attend a training that talks about the sign and symptoms of depression. This is a very serious issue in our teens in today’s society.
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This is a very interesting topic to me. I have always had a curiosity for the mental happenings of people. I think it is great that there are now recommendations for health insurance plans to offer coverage for mental health screenings. I could not imagine what life would be like with a mental disorder. My fiancé works as a paraprofessional at a local elementary school and deals with children that have mental and behavioral disorders every day. Maybe these recommendations will help more children.
ReplyDeleteI work in one of the biggest K-12 school systems in North Dakota, and I have to agree that depression among teens is increasing exponentially each year. When I was in high school, which was only five years ago, I don’t think there was anyone that I would have classified as depressed or as suffering with high anxiety.
ReplyDeleteNow, I watch invoices come before our school board for hundreds of students each year that have been placed in an agency like Prairie St. John’s. It is important for state and federal agencies to get the message out there about these screenings. The sooner we can diagnose these students, the sooner we can get them help and divert any poor behaviors they may wish to engage in.
I appreciate your post. My family has had several members affected by depression and I'd have to agree that the system is not effective at catching or treating it as it stands now.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, the fact that most insurance policies exclude it from medical treatment perpetuates the stereotype that it's 'all in your head' which royally ticks me off. In fact, I would be gleeful if anyone was able to successfully file and win a lawsuit against and insurance company for denying coverage of some type of mental illness that resulted in serious injury or death. (Not that I would be happy about the poor person's plight, just that the insurance companies might finally be taught a lesson.)
But most of all I just wish that the public in general was better educated. In spite of all the PSAs on TV and books and articles in magazines, this is still a highly stigmatized illness. No one (including me!) wants to disclose too much information about family or self when it comes to this disease for fear of being discriminated against or stigmatized and ostracized.