Group Says Teens Should Be Screened For Major Depressive Disorders

KYW Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Teenagers are a high risk group for depression, and in many cases the problems are missed or even ignored and this can lead to suffering and even death.

A major advisory group called the United States Preventive Services Task Force is making recommendations to face this head on.

According to the group, adolescents should be routinely screened for major depressive disorders with appropriate systems in place to support them.  They said there is a high certainty of benefit for routine depression screenings in adolescents ages 12 to 18. These recommendations are used by physicians to help guide them regarding important steps in the physical examination.

Overall, the task force found adequate evidence that screening can identify depression in adolescents, and that treatment can be beneficial. It is important to remember these are only recommendations, and your physician can screen anyone at any age and you should certainly bring up any concerns that you might have.