10-Minute Diagnosis Manual

category - Mental Health Problems

• Anxiety
  

  The experience of anxiety is ubiquitous in society. Anxiety can be part of an adaptive or protective response to threat (e.g., the fight-freeze-flight response) or a natural reaction to physical and emotional stress, but it can also be debilitating and a serious health concern. At its core, anxiety is a complex bio-psychosocial-spiritual experience that requires comprehensive assessment and treatment. Undiagnosed anxiety disorders contribute to inappropriate or overutilization of healthcare resources, but as many as 80% of the individuals with anxiety disorders can be significantly helped through appropriate treatment.

• Depression
  

  Depression costs the United States billions of dollars annually in lost productivity and direct medical costs. Health service costs are 50% to 100% greater for depressed patients compared to patients without depression. These increased costs are due to higher medical utilization and not due to speciality mental health care. Depression also contributes to impaired concentration, failure to advance in education and vocational endeavors, increased substance abuse, impaired or lost relationships, and increased risk of suicide.

• Suicide Risk
  

  Suicide is ranked as the 11th leading cause of death in the general US population and the 3rd leading cause of death for adolescents and young adults from age 15 to 24 years. Although the risk of suicide can be difficult to assess and predict because of the number of factors that contribute to such a decision, an understanding of the risk factors and assessment questions may prevent this tragic event. Many patients visit their primary care provider (PCP) some months before attempting suicide. If the red flags of suicidal ideation are present and recognized by the PCP, an opportunity is created for positive intervention to prevent suicide attempts.