Screen adolescents for depression

Although the USPSTF recommends adolescents ages 12 to18 receive an annual depression screening from their PCP, less than one-third of PCPs routinely screen their teen patients. Studies show 8.5% of teens, ages 12 to 17 during 2004-2006, suffered an episode of major depression and were twice as likely to increase their risk factors by using alcohol or drugs. Teens also suffer from social and separation anxiety, which often goes undetected in routine adolescent health visits.

For a sample depression scale to screen adolescents visit priorityhealth.com/provider/clinical/depression.

Topics: Depression