A Panel Recommends Regular Anxiety Screening For People In The US

Sep, 2022 - By SMI

For the first time, an expert panel supported by the US government has suggested that persons younger than 65 should be tested for anxiety disorders.

In accordance with prior recommendations, the prominent US Preventive Services Task force also recommended that all individuals get a depression screening. The adjustment is the result of overwhelming expert warnings about the Covid-19 pandemic's negative impact on mental health. The task team refrained from recommending suicide screening.

Although the panel noted that suicide is one of the main causes of mortality for American adults, it concluded that there was "insufficient data to determine if screening those without signs or symptoms can ultimately help prevent suicide."

The panel recommended anxiety screening for people between the ages of eight and 18 in April when it released similar recommendations for young children and teenagers. Young and middle-aged individuals, particularly those who are expecting or recently gave birth, are the target audience for the proposed advice.

"You are checked for many, many preventative problems when you visit your primary care physician, including blood pressure, heart rate, and all kinds of other things," she added. We should address mental health disorders with the same haste that we treat other diseases because they are just as vital as other bodily conditions.

The 16 unaffiliated volunteers who make up the task team offer advice on preventative healthcare practises. Due to a clause in the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies are frequently compelled to pay for the treatments the task group has suggested (informally known as Obamacare). The report on Tuesday cited research demonstrating how screening enhanced anxiety diagnosis and therapy. Only people without a known mental health issue or without any discernible indications or symptoms are eligible for the suggestions. Anyone exhibiting symptoms of despair, anxiety, or a risk of suicide should receive assistance, according to Dr. Pbert.