I took my 11 year old for her yearly physical and she was given a depression screening. In the paperwork for this doctor's office (we just changed doctors), it says that the depression screening is standard from 11-16. Has your child been given this?
Yes! Well just my youngest (now 19) because the medical community is finally catching up and I am so GLAD because mental health is every bit as important as physical health. So, so glad this is becoming mainstream!
Yep, our teens get the depression screening questions. I do think it's a good thing; sure, it won't get everyone, however at least it raises the probability of catching mental health issues. I think it also can raise parents' awareness of the symptoms of depression.
Yes, my kids have been asked the “do you often feel sad? Do you ever want to hurt yourself?”
Even at the ER for a broken wrist a few months ago, he was asked. He laughed and said “you mean more than I’m already hurt?”.
mine weren't, but i gather it's a standard thing now. and i think it's a good thing.
khairete
S.
Yes. There are so many kids who are depressed now thanks in part to social media and the Kardashians. :) There is also an increase in the rate of suicide for this age group. I think many doctors are screening kids now for depression. My daughter was screened. I think it's a good thing.
Yep my teen gets one just about every time he goes in to the doctor. It is now a standard form.
Yes, and I find it ridiculous. It will flag attention seekers and totally skip kids who really need help. Plus, it is very doubtful that most clinics would even follow up with the child or parents with useful information on getting any needed help anyway. Just another step in making our society feel like everyone is on your side.
As an aside, they did it when my 19 yr old special needs son was in for his physical so some clinics must have different age ranges they do it for.
This must be something relatively recent within the last few years.
It wasn't a feature when my son was going to the pediatrician.
He's 20 now.
While it certainly raises awareness I think most kids can kind of sense when to tell adults/strangers what they want to hear.
A kid who's having problems will not always come out and say that they are having problems.
I would expect that any person will feel all the emotions over a given time period.
It's extremes that's something to look for.
Someone who is manically happy all the time is having as much a problem as someone whose stuck being depressed.
Hi J., my response may seem cynical to some but sadly it is the truth. While these new screening tools may be helpful to the doctor and to the parent and teen, in reality it was created by big Pharma so that these “alerts” for depression would mean more youth placed on antidepressants -which in reality show the same results as a placebo. I say this as someone who used to work in healthcare and now works in alternative care and also as someone who’s son had a suicide attempt and suffered from Depression. So yes, maybe they are helpful in identifying what is going on with your child and maybe a good way to have open conversations with your teens, but if it just means medication well that’s just symptom management which western medicine is very good at.
