SCREENING FOR DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE IN CHILDREN

Course overview

DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE, COMMON DISABLING CONDITIONS, ARE OFTEN UNDERREPORTED AND UNDERDIAGNOSED IN CHILDREN. SUICIDE IS THE SECOND MOST COMMON DEATH IN ADOLESCENTS. THIS ARTICLE REVIEWS THE SCREENING METHODS FOR CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE. THE MOST COMMON SCREENING TOOLS FOR CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION ARE THE PATIENT HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ADOLESCENTS AND THE BECK DEPRESSION INVENTORY. THE UNITED STATES PREVENTIVE SERVICES TASK FORCE RECOMMENDS SCREENING FOR DEPRESSION IN ADOLESCENTS AGES 12 TO 18 YEARS. ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, OPTIMAL TREATMENT, AND PROPER FOLLOW-UP SHOULD BE ENSURED. THE ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INTER-PROFESSIONAL TEAM FOR APPROPRIATE RISK ASSESSMENT AND INTERVENTIONS.