What is a common mental health concern assessed during adolescent well-child visits?

During adolescent well-child visits, one of the primary mental health concerns that practitioners assess is depression and anxiety. These conditions are particularly relevant during adolescence due to the significant physical, emotional, and social changes that occur during this developmental stage. Adolescents are often facing various stressors such as academic pressure, social relationships, and family dynamics, which can contribute to the emergence of mental health issues.

Depression and anxiety can manifest in different ways in teenagers, including changes in mood, interests, and social interactions, as well as physical symptoms. Early identification allows for timely intervention, which can significantly improve outcomes. Screening for these mental health concerns is critical since adolescents may not always communicate their feelings, and symptoms are sometimes overlooked or attributed to typical teenage behavior.

In contrast, while conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder are important in pediatric mental health, they do not have the same prevalence or urgency as depression and anxiety during adolescence. These are typically addressed in earlier developmental stages or through specialized evaluations, whereas depression and anxiety require immediate attention during routine adolescent health check-ups.