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What to expect during a depression screening
Matrix at-home and virtual health and wellness assessments often include this important health check. Here’s what you need to know.
The past few years have certainly taken a toll on our collective mental health. According to the World Health Organization, depression rates have been on the rise since COVID-19, with a 27% increase in cases of major depressive disorder and a 25% increase in anxiety disorders.
Despite these rising numbers, many people still suffer in silence. According to Mental Health America, more than half (56%) of adults with depression, anxiety, or other mental illness receive no treatment at all.
So why do so many people go without help? Part of the reason is stigma. In fact, one survey published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine Research found that 30% of respondents believed a weak personality caused depression. On top of that, only 58% of people believed in the effectiveness of depression medication. And for seniors, depression can sometimes be mistaken as a normal part of aging, but it’s not.
A quick depression screening given in the comfort of your home can help bridge these gaps, says Detroit–based family nurse practitioner Patricia Wells, FNP, who leads at-home health and wellness assessments with Matrix Medical Network.
“I find that people tend to feel more comfortable talking about more in-depth questions and issues when they’re at home,” Wells says.
As part of your annual Matrix in-home or virtual health and wellness assessment, you may receive a depression assessment. Here’s what you can expect:
A Matrix in-home health and wellness assessment is a good time to discuss your emotional well-being with a licensed clinician — plus, it’s part of your plan! Call 877-302-3672 877-302-3672 to schedule.
What happens during a depression screening?
A basic depression assessment is a standard part of a physical exam and involves a quick, simple questionnaire. You’ll be asked two questions:
- In the past two weeks, have you felt depressed or hopeless?
- Have you been experiencing little interest in doing things you usually enjoy?
These are the first two questions of the longer Public Health Questionnaire (also known as PHQ-9).
Based on your responses, if no issues are reported, the depression screening may stop there. But if you indicate that you’ve had these feelings, the next step is the full PHQ-9 assessment.
What questions are involved in the full depression assessment?
The full questionnaire asks about common depression symptoms that might not always be obvious. You’ll be asked whether you’ve experienced any of the following in the past two weeks, and how often: not at all, several days, more than half the days, or nearly every day.
- Little interest or pleasure in doing things
- Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless
- Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much
- Feeling tired or having little energy
- Poor appetite or overeating
- Feeling bad about yourself or that you’ve let yourself or your family down
- Trouble concentrating on tasks like reading or watching TV
- Moving or speaking so slowly that others notice, or feeling restless
- Thoughts of self-harm or that you would be better off dead
Your answers will be scored on a scale from 0 to 27. This helps your Matrix clinician and other health care providers understand the severity of any depression:
- 0-4: None
- 5-9: Mild
- 10-14: Moderate
- 15-19: Moderately severe
- 20 or more: Severe
During your at-home health assessment, your Matrix clinician will also ask how these symptoms impact your daily life, relationships, and work (if you’re not retired). This information helps guide a treatment plan tailored just for you.
Depending on your answers, your Matrix clinician may recommend seeking the help of your primary care provider and/or a mental health specialist. They can also share community mental health resources that may help you.
I don’t feel depressed. Why is screening important to me?
Taking a depression screening can help you gain a clearer understanding of subtle symptoms you might not have linked to depression before.
Maybe you’ve noticed changes in your sleep or concentration and thought it was just part of aging. A quick questionnaire can reveal that there might be more going on, and that’s when help becomes available.
Most important, it opens the door for conversation. By doing this as part of your at-home Matrix visit, you’ll receive tailored advice that fits your lifestyle and that you can act on right away.
Building a relationship with a clinician you trust is key, too. “What I love about working in primary preventive care is that you can develop a relationship with your patients and really get to know them, which helps to pinpoint when something is off,” says Wells.
“As a provider, I can generally sense when something is going on without even having to do the full assessment,” she continues. “But to make sure I’m correct, the screening is important, and I do see value in asking these questions.”
Recommended reading: 5 reasons a Matrix in-home health assessment is valuable (even if you're healthy)
See our sources:
Depression rates: World Health Organization
Treatment rates: Mental Health America
Stigma rates: Journal of Clinical Medicine Research
Questionnaire: American Psychological Association
