Anxiety: Screening | When begin

Anxiety and Depression Screening for Children and Adolescents

An expert panel recently recommended preventative screening for anxiety in youth aged 8 to 18, as well as screening for major depressive disorder in adolescents aged 12 to 18.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued two important guidelines aimed at identifying mental health conditions in children and adolescents. One recommendation encourages screening for anxiety in youth aged 8 to 18, while the other promotes screening for major depression in adolescents aged 12 to 18.

According to the task force, these screenings could help detect early symptoms of anxiety and depression, ensuring children and teens receive the necessary care before their conditions worsen. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

However, the panel did not extend similar screening recommendations for younger children, citing a lack of sufficient evidence. They also found inadequate data to support screening for suicide risk in children and adolescents without recognized symptoms.

The task force emphasized the need for further research in these critical areas, especially as mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are increasingly common among youth in the U.S.

Anxiety disorders in childhood and adolescence have been shown to increase the risk of adult anxiety and depression. Similarly, major depressive disorder in children and teens is strongly associated with recurring depression in adulthood, other mental health disorders, and a higher risk of suicide.

In updated guidelines released in February, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended annual depression screenings for youth aged 12 to 21. However, many adolescents with depression remain undiagnosed, with up to two-thirds not receiving the care they need.