U.S. task force proposes anxiety screenings for most adults
With recent surveys High levels of anxiety and depression Among Americans, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USTF) recommends depression screening for all adults and anxiety screening for those under 65 who are not experiencing detectable symptoms. .
The proposed initiative aims to identify early signs of anxiety and depression in Americans who may not yet be showing symptoms, but could benefit from mental health care.
Task force member Dr. Lori Perbert said screening all adults for depression, including those who are pregnant and postpartum, and screening adults younger than 65 for anxiety can help identify these conditions early. To connect people to care.” Statement Regarding the draft recommendation.
The panel includes anxiety categories such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, separation anxiety disorder, phobias and selective mutism.
Screening and follow-up care can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in most adults, according to the panel. Currently, however, there is not enough evidence to suggest that these screenings will benefit people over age 65, the panel found. There is also little evidence that this screening will work to prevent suicide in people without identified symptoms.
“The task force is very concerned about the mental health of people across the country,” member Dr. Gbenga Ogedigbe said in the panel’s statement. “Unfortunately, evidence is limited on screening adults 65 and older for anxiety and screening all adults for suicidal risk, so we urgently call for more research.”
Over time, studies of mental illness in America have confirmed how common it is. In 2020, the National Coalition on Mental Illness Reported That one-fifth of American adults suffer from mental illness. According to NAMI, less than half of these adults received treatment.
The panel recognized that these screenings would be an early step in helping adults who are experiencing anxiety or depression.
Those who screen positive need further testing to determine whether they suffer from anxiety or depression, the statement said. “After diagnosis, people should participate in shared decision-making with their health care professionals to identify the right treatment or combination of treatments for them, and then to ensure Therefore, monitoring should be done on an ongoing basis to ensure that the selected treatment is effective.”
The USTF is an independent panel of volunteer medical experts who make evidence-based recommendations to improve the health of Americans through preventive health care, such as screening, counseling and preventive medicine.
The public can comment on the anxiety screening proposal until Oct. 17. Here.