Massive increase in mental illness

According to surveys of the Techniker Krankenkasse, the number of mental illnesses has risen by 40 percent.

(28.05.2010) Excessive demands and stress in the workplace, according to results of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) to more and more sick leave in the field of mental illness. Thus, the number of incapacity certificates due to mental illness (depression or anxiety disorders) increased by almost 40 percent according to the TK Health Report 2010. The background for this rapid increase is likely to be the increasing competition on the job market and job pressure in the workplace. TK CEO Norbert Klusen said: "The world of work has changed significantly in these ten years, and more and more employment relationships are temporary, thanks to modern means of communication we are now available around the clock and almost everywhere ".

More and more people are getting medicines like antidepressants prescribed by the doctor. About twice as many women today take antidepressants than they did ten years ago, according to the health report. In men, the intake rate has more than doubled compared to the year 2000. In addition, the unemployed are particularly affected. The fear of relegation to the Hartz IV relation burdens people so much, so that here too a significant increase in mental illness can be observed. (Sb)

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