Screenings are a key step in the treatment of mental disorders. They are quick, confidential and inexpensive.
The aim of screening is to identify those who need further assessment or treatment and those who might benefit from minimal intervention.
NAMI advocates for federal, state and local policies that promote screenings and encourages primary care professionals to provide regular mental health screenings. Ideally, these screenings link to comprehensive mental health assessment and treatment services.
Depression
Depression is a serious medical illness that can affect your life. It causes feelings of sadness or loss of interest in daily activities and is treated with medication, psychotherapy and support groups.
It’s a common problem in the United States, and many people with depression also have anxiety disorders. A family history of depression can increase your risk, but a genetic link is not always present. Some people may develop depression after a serious adverse event, such as losing a job or giving birth.
A mental health screening is a useful tool that can be used to help determine whether someone is suffering from a treatable condition. These screenings often come with informative questionnaires that can be completed in less than 10 minutes.
These questionnaires are typically anonymous, and can be used to detect mental health conditions such as depression. They are not a diagnosis, but they can help determine if a person should see a mental health professional for further evaluation.
In addition, these screenings are important because they can help individuals learn to recognize warning signs of mental health disorders and prevent them from getting worse. Screenings are a great way to break the stigma that prevents many people from seeking treatment.
Those who suffer from depression should talk to their doctor or a qualified mental health professional as soon as possible if they are experiencing five or more symptoms of depression for longer than two weeks. They should also see a doctor if their symptoms are severe enough that they interfere with work, sleep, study or relationships.
Depression can be a difficult topic to discuss with family and friends, but it’s important to get help. The sooner you seek treatment, the sooner you can begin to feel better and get back to enjoying your life.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a mental and physical state of fear that can lead to problems. It can be a normal reaction to stressful events or it can cause serious health problems. It can also get worse over time if you don’t seek help.
It’s important to treat anxiety early on, as it is a major risk factor for other disorders such as depression and substance use disorders. Treatment should include psychotherapy. It is also important to see your doctor for a thorough physical exam, blood and urine tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be causing the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Many people suffer from anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and agoraphobia (fear of public places). Anxiety can be very common, with about 40% of adults developing some form of anxiety during their lifetime.
Genetics, life experiences, and personality traits all play a role in who develops an anxiety disorder. Having a close family member with an anxiety disorder, for example, increases your chances of developing it too.
Other factors, such as a stressful job or living with a chronic condition, can also trigger anxiety. Stress can increase your level of anxiety, so it’s important to talk to your doctor if you notice that your anxiety is getting out of control.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults under 65 be screened for anxiety. Screening isn’t a diagnostic test, but it will identify those who need further evaluation and connection to care. It can be used to identify patients who are likely to benefit from ongoing monitoring or a prescribed course of treatment, such as medication or psychotherapy.
Mood Disorders
Like physical health screenings, mental health screenings can help you identify and address symptoms that might be a sign of an illness. Screenings can also help you prevent or delay a serious illness by identifying and treating a condition early on.
Mood disorders are illnesses that can cause significant emotional distress and disrupt the way you live your life. They can make you feel sad, anxious or angry and have a negative impact on your relationships with others.
Depression and bipolar disorder are the two most common mood disorders. They affect people of all ages. The most common symptoms include: sadness, low energy, fatigue, poor concentration, loss of appetite, thoughts of self-harm and suicidal ideation.
The severity of the symptoms depends on which mood disorder is present. Some mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, have specific criteria that must be met for a diagnosis.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mood disorder, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Early treatment can reduce the severity of symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy are effective in treating many types of mood disorders. These therapies focus on changing problematic thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
Another important treatment is interpersonal therapy. This technique helps build social skills and improves relationships.
It can also teach your child methods to cope with stress. If you notice that your child is displaying some of the symptoms of a mood disorder, talk to her pediatrician or mental health professional.
Children with mood disorders can benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to care that includes family therapy, psychosocial support and medication. Your child’s specialist will assess the symptoms and explore any other factors that might be contributing to the illness. This will help the specialist design a treatment plan that is best suited for your child’s needs.
Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders, also called substance abuse or addictions, involve using a drug to the point that it interferes with an individual’s daily functioning. They are treatable, but treatment often involves many different kinds of therapy.
Although the exact cause of substance use disorders is not known, they can be influenced by a variety of factors. Genetics, a person’s environment, and peer pressure are all potential risk factors. In addition, stress, depression, or other mental disorders can increase the risk of drug abuse.
The most common types of substance use disorders include alcoholism, heroin abuse, cocaine dependence, and marijuana abuse. These are treated with medications and counseling.
Screenings for mental health and substance use disorders can help prevent and reduce the impact of these problems on families, and can lead to earlier treatment. They also enable patients to access community resources more quickly.
During screenings, clinicians ask questions about a person’s use of drugs or alcohol to see if it’s causing them problems. If a patient’s response to the question is positive, the clinician should consider referring them for further assessment and treatment.
The screenings should be a part of routine care in primary care and other healthcare settings, as a quick assessment that can quickly determine the severity of the problem. If the screen is negative, rescreening should be considered as necessary.
The screenings should also be tailored to the patients’ needs, such as age, gender, and ethnicity. For example, an adolescent who is overweight may have higher odds of developing a substance use disorder than one who is lean or healthy.
Suicide
Mental health screenings are important to prevent suicide and help people with suicidal thoughts receive appropriate care. They can be conducted by primary care providers or a mental health provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental illness.
When screening for suicide risk, a healthcare provider will look at the client’s symptoms, personal and family history, and other factors to determine whether they are at high or moderate risk for suicide. They may ask questions about when symptoms started, how often they occur, and how they affect the client’s life.
A patient who screens positive for suicide ideation should be referred to an inpatient or outpatient mental health provider to receive treatment. They should also be encouraged to talk about their thoughts and feelings with friends or family members, or they should be asked to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK if they have any concerns.
The best way to screen for suicide risk is to use a screening tool that has been validated for children and adults. One such tool is the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS).
Using a suicide risk screening can be difficult, so it’s important to practice asking the right questions and guiding clients through the process until you are comfortable with it. If you’re new to screening, you can find a number of free suicide risk screening tools on the internet.
Several studies have shown that patients who are screened and receive treatment for their mental health problems are more likely to get well. In fact, a 2017 study of eight emergency departments across seven states found that those who were screened and received evidence-based care had 30% fewer suicide attempts than those who did not.
