A government-appointed panel is urging all doctors to routinely screen their teen patients for depression.
According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which sets guidelines for doctors on a wide variety of health issues, nearly 2 million teens suffer from depression, but most go undiagnosed.
Because depression leads to lingering sadness, social isolation, school problems and even suicide, screening and early treatment of depression is crucial, said the task force.
The group further recommends that all teens be screened, not just those in high risk groups, because depression is so common.
Task force chairman Dr. Ned Calogne emphasized that the panel does not want its advice to lead to drug treatment alone, especially with antidepressants which have been linked to increased suicidal thoughts in teens. The group recommends that screening should be done only if psychotherapy is also available.
More information about the task force and its recommendations is available though the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality web site.
depression.about.com
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