Monday, February 13, 2023 – Author: zdr
For some people, depression is a temporary and one-time thing. However, it is often the case that depression recurs. In just ten years, the number of patients with chronic depression has increased by 71 percent.
Depression can come and go. But you can always come back once you’ve only been there once. “The number of patients with depression in Germany has been increasing for years,” reports the “KHH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse”. 18.4 percent of women and 9.4 percent of men now suffer from one or both of the above forms of depression. The figures from the KKH also show that once you have had depression, you often can’t get rid of it. According to data from the health insurance company, the diagnoses of recurring depression in particular have risen sharply – by around 71 percent from 2011 to 2021.
Chronic depression: Baden-Württemberg in front
In a comparison of the federal states, the number of cases of “recurring”, i.e. recurring depression, has risen the most in Baden-Württemberg. With an increase of almost 112 percent within ten years, the intensity of the increase here exceeds the national trend by more than half. The northern German city-state of Hamburg recorded the lowest value at 39 percent. In the case of depressive episodes, i.e. shorter, one-time depressive phases, the plus is also clear nationwide, but much lower (20 percent). Saxony-Anhalt is ahead here with around 48 percent. Hamburg is also at the bottom with around five percent.
A look specifically at the latest figures from 2019 and 2021 (i.e. before the start of the corona pandemic and during it) shows that there was only a slight increase of around six percent nationwide in the case of recurring depressions. In the case of depressive episodes, however, the numbers are still stagnating. “This shows that the pandemic is primarily having a negative impact on people who are already suffering from depression,” according to the KKH’s assessment.
Depression: A whole spectrum of causes and triggers
Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses that can have a major impact on life. Depressive episodes can be triggered by experiences and fears of loss through political, social and private crises, but also seemingly positive changes such as the birth of a child. “Whether someone suffers from depression in the long term usually depends on the interaction of several factors,” explains Aileen Könitz, doctor and expert on psychiatric issues at the KKH.
In general, the causes are very individual and varied. In addition to traumatic experiences such as violence and abuse, experiences of loss in childhood, serious illnesses or chronic stress, genetic predisposition and neurobiological factors also play a role. If someone is already suffering from depression, crises such as the virus pandemic or the war in Ukraine can act like a magnifying glass and have a negative impact on the illness.
What are the symptoms of depression?
According to the KKH, depression is characterized by extreme depression, exhaustion and listlessness. Those affected lose their interests and can also be plagued by insomnia, self-doubt, guilt and difficulty concentrating. Sick people are often unable to make the smallest decisions and feel joy. Sleep disorders or a lack of appetite, often associated with weight loss, also often play a role. Many sufferers also experience anxiety and physical complaints such as stomach, headache or back pain.
Depression: where can I get help?
If you suspect depression, your first step is to see your family doctor. He will then refer you to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. Finding a therapist that suits you in terms of qualifications or range of treatments can often take months and require perseverance. The website of the patient aid organization “pro psychotherapie eV” can make the search easier. Here, those affected can search nationwide and with very personal search criteria for a suitable therapist: You can enter your place of residence, a kilometer radius, the desired form of therapy or whether you want a male or female therapist.
