A government-appointed medical panel said doctors should screen all teenagers for depression, a condition linked to lower grades, more physical illness and drug use, as well as early pregnancy.

 

Seven years ago, the US Preventive Services Task Force, an independent group that sets guidelines for doctors on a host of health issues, released a report saying there wasn’t enough evidence to support or oppose screening for teens. Now, the same group says the benefits of screening kids 12 to 18 years old outweigh any risks if doctors can assure an accurate diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care.

 

The group’s requests were based on an analysis showing that nearly 2 million teens suffer from depression, and the number could be higher if considering the fact that depression often goes undiagnosed for many years. The bad part is that, if left untreated, depression can lead to problems at home and school, drug abuse, self-loathing-even irreversible tragedy such as homicidal violence or suicide.

 

The good part is that depression can be treated, and parents, teachers or friends can do many things to help teenagers “come back on their feet” again and the first thing they can do is to address a doctor for treatment.

 

How can you recognize a depressed teenager? He or she can show signs of sadness or hopelessness, irritability, anger or hostility, loss of interest in activities, changes in eating and sleeping habits, restlessness and agitation, lack of enthusiasm and motivation, fatigue or lack of energy, difficulty concentration, thoughts of death or suicide, feeling and worthlessness and guilt or withdrawal from friends and family.