People in Germany are more likely to have depression-related symptoms than those in other EU countries. This is the result of the EU Health Survey (Ehis) published by the Robert Koch Institute.
According to this, depressive symptoms are much more prevalent with 9.2 percent of respondents in Germany than the EU average of 6.6 percent. The rate in Germany is therefore among the top 25 of the EU countries, which took part in the study: The Federal Republic has the second highest value after Luxembourg (10 percent).
The results could, however, be influenced by the fact that in Germany, the topic of depression is discussed more publicly and the sensitivity can be higher than in other EU countries, the authors of the study write. In addition, it could be possible that the people surveyed in Germany were more willing to name mental symptoms.
Appetite loss, sleep disorders, feelings of worthlessness
Between November 2014 and July 2015, approximately 25,000 people aged 15 and over were contacted in Germany for the investigation. Around a quarter of them (27 percent) answered a questionnaire in writing or online.
Overall, the researchers surveyed more than 254,000 people in 25 EU states to depressive symptoms. In this category, among other things, decreased interest, loss of appetite, sleep disorders, psychomotor agitation, energy loss, feelings of worthlessness and concentration problems. At each point, respondents had to state how often they had been affected over the past two weeks.
As a result, however, Germany only landed well above the EU average for the symptoms of a relatively mild depressive symptomatology. Especially younger people reported frequent complaints. In contrast, the severity of the disease in Germany, at 2.9 percent, was close to the EU average of 2.5 percent.
Young women especially often affected
As in most other EU countries, women in Germany reported depressive symptoms more frequently (10.8 percent) than men (7.6 percent). This phenomenon is discussed internationally, it says in the investigation. In addition to biological factors, these include the question of whether there is a larger accumulation of psychosocial stress factors among women.
However, the Foundation German Depressionshilfe does not assume that the propensity for depression in Germany generally increases. Rather, the disease is recognized by doctors more often than before. The population has also grown ready to be treated.
According to the Foundation, 5.3 million Germans between the ages of 18 and 79 are diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder over the course of a year (8.2 percent). This number is still increasing for children, adolescents and people over 79 years.