The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) now recommends that adults under the age of 65 get regularly screened for anxiety. For the first time, the Task Force recommends screening all adults under 65 who don’t have a diagnosed mental health disorder or related symptoms. This is meant to help primary care clinicians identify early signs of anxiety, which can go undetected for years.
The latest recommendation also focuses on screening for specific groups of people, especially those who are pregnant and have given birth within the past year. Last year, the Task Force recommended screening children ages 8 to 17 for anxiety. This now means all Americans ages 8 to 64 should be screened for anxiety. Anxiety disorders typically begin in childhood and early adulthood, and symptoms appear to decline with age. Contact a doctor if you have concerns about anxiety.
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