Depression is treated too rarely

Depression is treated too rarely in Germany. The result of untreated depression can be suicide.

(13.09.2010) In Germany, the depressive syndrome (depression) is treated too seldom in the opinion of experts. The result: many depression ends in suicide (suicide). Every day about 30 people commit suicide.

According to the European OSPI Project for Better Prevention of Suicide, Ulrich Hegerl, manifested depression is under-diagnosed and treated. The consequence of this is that depression leads to suicide. „In no other disease, sufferers often have the desire to die“, said Hegerl. Around 90 percent of the more than 9,000 suicides in Germany are committed after a mental illness. „Every day 30 people die in this country in a suicide“, so the bitter conclusion (suicide in depressed people).

In Germany, depression is one of the most common occupational abilities. The disease often runs in spurts and phases. Those affected withdraw more and more, live partly in darkened apartments and hardly maintain any social contacts.

How do depression express itself?? Typical symptoms of depression in the mental and emotional realm are a depressed mood, which is accompanied by impulses to drive, pleasure and joys in the end all, also usual and formerly gladly undertaken activities. The persons concerned also report feelings and lack of interest towards those who are actually loved. Some people also suffer from concentration problems and compulsive thinking. Others have unfounded and sometimes delusional feelings of guilt. It comes to sleep disorders, thoughts of suicide to the point of suicide. On the physical level, heart problems, headaches, neck problems, back pain, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, menstrual disorders in women and decreased sexual desire in men and women are manifested.

There are different forms and forms of depression. In a manic depression, moods alternate again and again. The patients experience a heightened, almost exaggerated high mood, which alternates with a deep depression repeatedly. The distances between exaggerated „happiness“ and lower depressive phases again less, the longer the disease remains untreated.

Depression can also be triggered by traumatic, unprocessed experiences, some of which originate from early childhood. For example, depression affects people who have experienced sexual abuse in their childhood.

In the fast-moving time with ever higher social and professional demands, more and more people are suffering from the so-called fatigue syndrome. Those affected are increasingly overburdened and can hardly resist the external demands. The result is a burn-out that can lead to a despressive syndrome.

But organic causes can be considered for the disease. Hereditary and neurobiochemical factors are regarded as such factors, whereby an imbalance of various neurotransmitters in the brain metabolism is assumed. It plays the so-called „feel-good hormone“ Serotonin plays a central role.

According to a survey, one in eight respondents in Germany said they had already had depression. About 24 percent said they know people in their social environment who have been or are already suffering from depression. Only one in three, however, can treat his illness. Only after a suicide attempt doctors and the environment become aware, whereby also in half of the cases a treatment took place. In the opinion of Ulrich Hegerl „that is very problematic“. All patients who have already tried to kill themselves must be treated in detail.

Preventive programs against suicide could significantly reduce the suicides of those affected. Sick people would have to reduce their shame and find their way to the doctor. Also, cooperation with family physicians should be strengthened so that doctors can better recognize depression, according to the OSPI project.

Treatment often takes the form of psychotherapy and the use of so-called antidepressants (serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Often additional tranquilizers such as lorazepam or diazepam are administered. In mild forms of depression also treatment options of natural medicine come into question. To lighten the mood, St. John's wort is administered. In several scientific studies, the positive mode of action has already been confirmed. In addition, relaxation techniques such as yoga, autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation are adequate treatment options. (Sb)

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