The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for depression in adults. What does this mean for you? The next time you have a doctor's appointment, you may be asked questions about your mental health.
We have known for years that depression is a big problem. According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability in the US. In a given year, over millions of Americans have a mood disorder (major depressive, dysthymic, or bipolar disorder). Depression decreases quality of life, increases healthcare costs, and contributes to billions of dollars in lost workdays per year.
A number of people with the disorder do not even know they have it. Depression is often disguised by other problems. And, though the stigma tied to the disorder is easing, many who are affected still go undetected and untreated.
The USPSTF urges primary care doctors to screen all adult patients for signs of depression and give them appropriate treatment and follow up care.
According to USPSTF, the following two questions are a good place to start:
If your answer is “yes” to either question, contact your primary care doctor for an evaluation. Your doctor may advise completing a more in-depth questionnaire or having a thorough check-up.
Research suggests depression comes from an imbalance of certain brain hormones. The disorder is more common in people who inherit a tendency for depression or are exposed to certain environmental triggers. Factors that can increase your chance of developing depression include:
If you suspect you suffer from depression, your doctor can make a diagnosis after a complete exam. The diagnosis requires having at least five symptoms for more than two weeks that are severe enough to interfere with your daily routine. The symptoms of depression include the following:
*Either the first or second symptom on this list must be present for a diagnosis of depression.
Depression is very treatable. Research has shown that antidepressant drugs and counseling—alone or in combination—are effective in combating the disorder. However, the combination of "talk-therapy" and "drug therapy" is more effective than either alone. Alternative treatments, such as St. John's wort , are also being studied. And adjusting your lifestyle to include more exercise and social activities may help, as well.
You are encouraged to talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your mental health. With better screening and medical care, the future looks brighter for adults with depression.
RESOURCES
American Psychiatric Association
http://www.psych.org/
National Institute of Mental Health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Mental Health Association
http://www.cmha.ca/
Canadian Psychiatric Association
http://www.cpa-apc.org/
References:
Diagnosis and management of depression. American Family Physician . 2000.
New recommendations for depression screening. Journal Watch website. Available at: http://general-medicine.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2002/604/1 . Published May 2002. Accessed August 13, 2008.
The numbers count: Mental disorders in America. National Institutes of Public Health website. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/numbers.cfm . Updated June 2008. Accessed August 13, 2008.
US Preventive Services Task Force now finds sufficient evidence to recommend screening adults for depression [press release]. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. May 20, 2002.
US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for depression in adults: Summary of the evidence. Ann Int Med. 2002;136:765-776.
US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for depression: Recommendations and rationale. Ann Int Med . 2002;136:760-764.
Last reviewed June 2010 by Brian Randall, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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