Mental Health America believes that depression screenings should be a normal part of health care, just like screenings for high blood pressure or screening mammograms.
Why?
Clinical depression is a serious illness that affects men and women of all ages and all ethnic backgrounds, yet only about a third of people suffering from this condition seek or receive treatment.
MHA offers a simple online depression screening. They emphasize that this screening doesn’t provide a diagnosis. However, it can help you think about whether you should talk with your doctor about depression.
Depression is common
A recent survey found that most Americans have experienced some mental health issues in the past year.
We have seen research before that suggests that the pandemic has increased mental health problems. However, depression was a common condition before the pandemic began, too.
More than 16 million American adults have had a depressive episode in the past year.
Untreated depression is common
Only about one-third of people who suffer from depression are being treated. One reason is that depression can show up as digestive problems, chronic pain, and other physical disorders.
Untreated, depression can lead to risky behaviors such as drug use, it can worsen other health issues, and it can even result in suicide. It can be harder for people who are depressed to make good health choices, follow their doctors’ instructions, or care for themselves.
Among men, untreated depression can lead to other issues like violence, or even reckless driving.
A depression screening can catch depression early and help sufferers find treatment.
Depression treatment
If a depression screening suggests that you may be experiencing depression, don’t feel that you have to live with it or face it alone. There are effective treatments available, from medication to transcranial magnetic stimulation.
Contact Northwest Arkansas Psychiatry or your primary care physician to learn more.