Task force recommends that doctors should screen all adults for depression

[TexDotCom]

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/26/health/de ... index.html

"A common scenario for screening is that a patient completes a test on paper or electronically while waiting to see the doctor. If the test reveals a patient is at risk of depression, a doctor or nurse does a more thorough evaluation and talks with the patient about whether to start antidepressants or therapy."

Implications for the whole "guns vs mental health" debate? No sir, I don't care much for this at all.

[JALLEN]

That's depressing.

One does not have to be depressed, merely "at risk of depression."

God only knows that that might mean.

[WildBill]

"These recommendations are taking something that is good and making it even better," said Dr. Michael E. Thase, professor of psychiatry at University of Pennsylvania and the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia. Thase was not involved in creating the recommendations but wrote an editorial about them in the same issue of the journal.

I think this man should see a good psychiatrist.

[Jusme]

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/26/health/de ... index.html

"A common scenario for screening is that a patient completes a test on paper or electronically while waiting to see the doctor. If the test reveals a patient is at risk of depression, a doctor or nurse does a more thorough evaluation and talks with the patient about whether to start antidepressants or therapy."

Implications for the whole "guns vs mental health" debate? No sir, I don't care much for this at all.

Yeah, I have never heard of this "Expert independent panel" This reeks of political pandering. It's difficult enough for people who truly suffer from depression and other mental illnesses to get the help they need from fear of being stigmatized. Now they are recommending a mandatory test for patients who are not seeking treatment for depression, to submit to some kind of screening for the potential for depression? If I go in for an ingrown toenail and they ask me to take a psych eval, that will be the last time I darken that doctors doorway and my insurance provider will be getting a very unpleasant series of e-mails.

Of course the first group they target are expectant mothers so they can say they are doing it "for the children"

[Abraham]

"Now they are recommending a mandatory test"

Bwaaaahaaaaaaa!

[JALLEN]

"These recommendations are taking something that is good and making it even better," said Dr. Michael E. Thase, professor of psychiatry at University of Pennsylvania and the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia. Thase was not involved in creating the recommendations but wrote an editorial about them in the same issue of the journal.

I think this man should see a good psychiatrist.

Psychiatrists drive me crazy.

I represented one briefly, and in another matter endured a lengthy boundary dispute involving a pair of them on the other side. These two dim-bulbs had trained their then 5 year old son to be deathly afraid of automobiles. "Disturbed" is the only word I could use to describe them.

[Lynyrd]

Depressed? Yes I'm depressed! For the last 7 years I've had Obama for a president.

[anygunanywhere]

Depressed? Yes I'm depressed! For the last 7 years I've had Obama for a president.

I have been depressed about where our country is headed for longer than that, but he definitely added to my depression.

[ELB]

Job works program for psychiatrists and psychologists.

[puma guy]

I get a questionnaire about depression and falling every time I visit my doctor. I always decline, but once a nurse told me it was "the law", which is not true. I simply said "OK" and then hid the clipboard and form behind a garbage can. I told her I gave it to another nurse. My physician who I have had for 40+ years and like very much is now affiliated with UTMB system and I'm sure it's part of their program and Medicare. From all my conversations with him I know he's a conservative, but in today's medical and economic environment I understand his affiliation with UTMB for survival's sake.

Edited for typo error.

[WildBill]

Job works program for psychiatrists and psychologists.

Many of the government/agency mandated psychological evaluations are a money-making racket.
Once a therapist gets on the preferred list, they stand to make a lot of money.

[parabelum]

Another idea I have...require all politicians including POTUS and SCOTUS to submit to random drug testing.

[Smokey]

Last time I went to my doctor, the PA asked me, "we're doing a screening for depression, do you want to participate?"

Sure.

The first question was "do you ever feel depressed?" The remaining 2 were equally worthless and I don't even remember what they were.

[rbwhatever1]

I agree with other posters. The last 7 years were depressing watching Obama and his cabinet destroy these United States by instituting racial divide. Obama should be on his knees thanking God for the forefathers that delivered his ancestors into the greatest opportunity on the planet. If a sin it was we should pack him up and send him back. Good riddance to him and his parasitic cabinets. His legacy will not be kind to him as long as we don't allow history to be re-written.

No depression here. Refreshed...

[TVegas]

While I was at A&M, the health clinic gave these screenings each time a patient went to the clinic to see a doctor. The nurse would give you a sheet of paper with three "How often have you felt or thought about X?" questions. Nothing I ever reported led to a doctor saying anything, but they did lead me to at least consider my personal mental state over the years that I was there

I don't think the screenings should be in any way mandatory, but if they can help people to stop and think about their own mental health then I think they're worthwhile.