Loyola Medicine Including Depression Screenings for Adolescents in Back-to-School Physicals
August 8, 2018Categories: Behavioral Health, Pediatrics, Primary Care
Tags: Behavioral Health, Pediatrics, Primary Care
MAYWOOD, IL – With 20% of adolescents having experienced a depressive episode by the age of 18, Loyola Medicine pediatricians and primary care physicians will now screen patients ages 12-18 for depression during back-to-school physicals and routine office visits.
More than 40% of adolescents with depression are not diagnosed before adulthood and it is now more common in patients of that age group than asthma and diabetes. With adolescents averaging two doctor's office visits per year, the goal at Loyola Medicine is to reach these patients earlier.
Parents will not have to request a screening as it will be an automatic part of the visit.
"Left untreated, depression can lead to many health conditions and social problems, including underachievement in school, increased risk of anxiety and eating disorders, and problems with family and peer relationships," said Garry Sigman, MD, FAAP, director of adolescent medicine at Loyola's department of pediatrics. "It's important to understand that depression is a treatable disease."
The decision to incorporate depression screenings followed new guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and recommendations by the U.S. Preventive Taskforce.
As part of the screening, which helps identify patients who may need further assessment, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PQ-9) asks patients the frequency over the last two weeks that they have experienced changes in:
- Behavior or mood
- Sleep patterns
- Concentration
- Appetite
The questionnaire also asks the patient about whether they have had thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
After completing the questionnaire, patients are scored on each individual question while an overall scaled score determines whether further assessment is needed and if possible intervention is required.
Although parents do not need to request a screening, Dr. Sigman said they should look for the following signs and symptoms:
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Irritability
- Self-criticism
- Low self-esteem
- Frequent aches and pains
- Tearfulness and crying
"At Loyola, we are committed to being a partner with families in the diagnosis and treatment of depression in adolescents," Dr. Sigman said. "These visits and screenings can be instrumental in getting adolescents the care they need."
About Loyola Medicine
Loyola Medicine, a member of Trinity Health, is a nationally ranked academic, quaternary care system based in Chicago's western suburbs. The three-hospital system includes Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC), Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, MacNeal Hospital, as well as convenient locations offering primary care, specialty care and immediate care services from nearly 2,000 physicians throughout Cook, Will and DuPage counties. LUMC is a 547-licensed-bed hospital in Maywood that includes the William G. and Mary A. Ryan Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine, the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, the John L. Keeley, MD, Emergency Department, a Level 1 trauma center, Illinois's largest burn center, the Nancy W. Knowles Orthopaedic Institute, a certified comprehensive stroke center, transplant center and a children’s hospital. Having delivered compassionate care for over 50 years, Loyola also trains the next generation of caregivers through its academic affiliation with Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine and Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.
For more information, visit loyolamedicine.org. You can also follow Loyola Medicine on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter).
About Trinity Health
Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, faith-based health care systems in the nation. It is a family of 127,000 colleagues and more than 38,300 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 26 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, the Trinity Health system includes 93 hospitals, 107 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 142 urgent care locations and many other health and well-being services. In fiscal year 2024, the Livonia, Michigan-based health system invested $1.3 billion in its communities in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs. For more information, visit us at www.trinity-health.org, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter).