Depression Screening Advised for All Adults The US Preventive
Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for depression
in adults. What does this mean for you? The next time you have a
doctor's appointment, you may be asked questions about your
mental health. Scope of the Problem We have known for years that
is a big problem. According to the National Institutes of Mental
Health, major depressive disorder is the leading cause of
disability in the US. In a given year, millions of Americans
will be diagnosed with a mood disorder (major depressive,
dysthymic, or bipolar disorder). A number of people with the
disorder do not even know they have it. Depression is often
disguised by other problems. And, though the stigma tied to the
disorder is easing, many who are affected still go undetected
and untreated. The USPSTF urges primary care doctors to screen
all adult patients for signs of depression and give them
appropriate treatment and follow up care. According to USPSTF,
the following two questions are a g