Abstracts by keywords: depression
Since 2020, digital health applications (DiGA or “apps on prescription”) have been offering new perspectives for the German healthcare system. In August 2021, 20 DiGAs had already been successfully tested by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and listed in the directory of prescribable DiGAs. These can now be prescribed and therefore reimbursed by statutory health insurance companies. Ten apps are used to prevent and treat mental illnesses (especially panic disorders and depression). However, there is no app for suicide prevention (Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices).
17.05.2022
Since it was first described in China in December 2019, Covid-19 has spread worldwide and subsequently triggered a severe pandemic (1). To prevent healthcare systems from being overwhelmed and to slow the spread of the disease, governments around the world have implemented a range of non-pharmaceutical measures of varying intensity (2). In Germany, these measures included closing schools and public playgrounds, and recommending companies to enable and facilitate remote work (3). Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses show the increased prevalence of mental health problems related to the Covid-19 pandemic in adults (4, 5). However, it is not just adults who have been affected by the pandemic measures. The coronavirus pandemic and lockdown has also impacted the daily lives of children and young people, including the closure of schools and a lack of outdoor activities. A number of Asian and European studies have shown that a significant proportion of children and adolescents suffer from mental health problems as a result of the coronavirus pandemic or related measures (6-11).
07.08.2021
In the area of incapacity for work (AU), according to Meyer and colleagues, various health insurance companies have noticed a significant increase in the importance of depression in recent years [7]. According to data from the current health report from the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), there was a significant increase in absences due to psychiatric disorders by more than four fifths between 2006 and 2014. This absenteeism only stagnated at a high level in the years 2014 to 2017. An increase in 90% is reported between 2000 and 2017 [8]. Similar information can be found in the current health report of the German Employee Health Insurance Fund (DAK). DAK data shows that the duration of AU in mental disorders has continuously increased threefold over the last 20 years. In 2017, the number of days absent due to mental disorders increased, albeit only slightly, by 1.5% more than in the previous year [9]. With 16.7% of lost days, mental disorders rank second in terms of the volume of sick days. In the results of the report by the umbrella organization of company health insurance companies (BKK), mental disorders also rank second among the causes of AU with 16.6% of all AU days [10]. By far the most absent days were caused by depression [9, 10].
04.10.2019
Depression is one of the most frequently diagnosed mental illnesses both among the general population in Germany and among those insured by AOK Nordost. Previous studies estimate the prevalence of depression in Germany at 8.1% to 10.2%, depending on the respective study design and the underlying data source (Busch et al. 2013; Erhart and von Stillfried 2012). A continuous increase in the prevalence of depression has been observed for years (Thom et al. 2017). Even though treatment rates are constantly increasing, it is estimated that between 35% and 80% of all patients with mental disorders do not receive treatment (Larisch et al. 2013). It can be assumed that this also applies to the treatment of depression to a similar extent. In addition to individual factors as well as social and natural factors, the treatment rate also depends on the availability of service providers (Rommel et al. 2017; Helbich et al. 2018). Accordingly, the current needs planning of psychotherapists is also the subject of controversial discussion (IGES 2016; Peikert et al. 2011).