Why doctors are screening for depression during medical checkups

Lethargy, apathy and sadness are all common symptoms of depression.

Depression is on the rise in the United States, with 29% of U.S. adults reporting that they have been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetimes. Nearly 18% of American adults also reported currently being treated for depression, or having been treated in the past.

To help meet the challenge of rising depression rates, doctors are increasingly recognizing the importance of screening for depression during regular medical checkups. Screenings can help identify depression early, allowing patients to be treated sooner.

What is a depression screening?

A depression screening is a set of questions that can help a doctor diagnose depression. While everyone feels sad or down at times, depression is a serious mental health condition that affects how you feel, think and behave. Some people may develop depression as a result of another mental health condition, such as an anxiety or bipolar disorder.

How do doctors screen for depression?

Doctors may screen for depression as part of a routine checkup or if a patient shows signs of depression. Typically, your doctor will ask you questions about your mood and how it affects your daily life. They may then ask you specific questions to screen for depression, such as:

• Have you felt down, depressed or hopeless during the past month?
• In the past month, have you had little interest in doing things you used to enjoy?
• Has your mood affected your ability to perform daily routine tasks in the past month?

Depending on your answers, your doctor may follow up with a more detailed questionnaire to confirm a diagnosis. If your answers do not point to depression, your doctor may review your symptoms again to determine a cause.

If your doctor suspects that depression is causing your symptoms, they may use a depression screening tool.

What are the benefits of treating depression and mood disorders early?

If you or your doctor think you have depression or another mood disorder, it's important to get treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you start treatment for depression, the sooner you can start to feel better. Early mental health intervention can reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms. It can also reduce the intensity and duration of treatment.

Depression treatment can also improve your overall health and reduce your risk of developing other serious conditions. For instance, depression can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. A history of depression has also been tied to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. In fact, studies have shown that people with Type 2 diabetes are two to three times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes.

Untreated depression can become more difficult to manage and worsen other health conditions. It can also increase the likelihood of risky behaviors, such as alcohol and drug use. Untreated depression can affect your ability to maintain relationships and job performance.

What are the treatment options for depression?

There are several depression treatment options available. Sometimes, different treatments are combined for the best results. If you have depression, your doctor may recommend:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy: The most common psychological treatment for depression is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapy has been shown to be effective in treating depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. CBT is a type of goal-oriented talk therapy that addresses specific problems and helps find solutions for them.
• Medication: Antidepressants are the main medical treatment for depression. They may be prescribed along with psychological treatments such as CBT, or they may be prescribed if other treatments have not been successful. Antidepressants can take days or weeks to start working, and how long you take them will depend on several different factors and should be determined with the help of a psychiatrist.
• Relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques such as progressive muscle relaxation may help relieve the symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Music therapy and yoga can also help.

You may start to feel better within a few weeks of starting treatment, but it can take longer depending on the severity of your symptoms. If you feel like you're not getting better or your depression is getting worse, talk to your doctor.

Depression is a serious condition, but there are options available to treat and alleviate symptoms. As doctors focus on screening for depression, they are better equipped to identify and treat it early. This approach can lead to quicker, more effective interventions that can help you feel better sooner. Reach out to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms associated with depression.

Find information about mental health resources from our larger health network, HCA Healthcare.