Feeling anxious lately? You’re not alone. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is recommending that all adults ages 19 to 64 be screened for anxiety as part of regular primary care. And if you don’t feel worried, you still fall under the recommendation — it’s for adults who are asymptomatic.
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The recommendation expands a directive issued in 2016 that calls for screening for depression in all adults. The good news is that screening won’t take long or be invasive. As most patients answer a two-item questionnaire to screen for depression, they’ll likely receive something similar focused on anxiety. Positive results may lead to further questions from a doctor or a mental health professional referral.
USPSTF Recommends Screening for Anxiety and Depression The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended that general practitioners actively screen and identify anxiety and depression in all adult patients under 65 yrs.https://t.co/8qOHzV52d8 pic.twitter.com/tOzZQDHR1M
— Dr. John Cush (@RheumNow) September 23, 2022
If you’re wondering why the screening recommendation is just for those under 65, it’s because there was insufficient research on the benefit of screening among asymptomatic patients older than 64. You may want to ask your doctor to give you the questions the next time you get a check-up, just to be on the safe side.
