What does BSAD mean in PHYSIOLOGY

The Brief Screen for Adolescent Depression (BSAD) is an assessment tool designed to identify symptoms of depression in adolescents. It consists of eight items that are based on the DSM-IV criteria for Major Depressive Disorder. The BSAD was developed to provide a relatively quick and easy way to identify adolescents who may need further mental health services.

The BSAD can be administered orally or in written form and takes about 10 minutes to complete. It is best administered by a trained clinician but can also be completed by the adolescent themselves or their parents/guardians.

There are two types of scores obtained from the BSAD - total score and cut-off score. The total score measures the severity of depressive symptoms, with higher scores indicating more severe symptoms. The cut-off score indicates whether or not an adolescent meets the DSM-IV criteria for Major Depressive Disorder; a score above 13 suggests a possible diagnosis while a score below 13 suggests there is no likely depression diagnosis.

This screening tool was created specifically for those between ages 11 - 18, so it should only be administered to individuals within this age range.

After completing the test, your results will help inform further decisions about whether to seek further mental health services and/or treatment options if needed. A trained clinician can then make further diagnoses if necessary via additional tests, interviews and observations.

No, it does not diagnose depression per se but helps provide insight into whether someone might benefit from further assessments or mental health services related to depression. It is recommended that any suspected cases of depression be referred onto a qualified healthcare provider for further evaluation and diagnosis before making any decisions about recommended treatments or therapies.

Ideally, it should be administered by a trained professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist but it can also be self-administered by adolescents themselves or with assistance from their parents/guardians.

According to research studies conducted on assessment tools like this one, they have been found to have good reliability and high sensitivity when compared to other forms of clinical assessment.

Typically no; however, depending on where you go for testing, there may be fees associated with other components such as consultations with medical professionals afterward which could incur cost.