Statistics Among the top twelve diagnoses for sick leave are six mental illnesses

TK: Six mental illnesses among the top 12 causes of sick leave
German employees are on average ill about 15 days per year. Among the twelve top diagnoses that cause most absences, half are mental diagnoses, reports the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK).

More and more people are suffering from mental disorders
Stress and high performance expectations are increasing more and more. This has an impact on us all: About one in four people suffers at some point in his life at a mental disorder, scientists reported last year. Of course, this also has an impact on the world of work. The absentee days due to mental illness have reached a new record level.

According to Techniker Krankenkasse, half of the twelve top diagnoses that cause most absences are mental diagnoses. (Image: Björn Wylezich / fotolia.com)

Half of the top diagnoses are mental causes
As can be seen from the first part of the health report of the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) which has just been published, of the 15.2 absences that were recorded on average in Germany in 2016, 2.7 days were spent on mental illness.

According to a statement from the health insurance company, among the top twelve diagnoses that cause most absences, half are mental diagnoses:

Depressive episode (3rd place, 0.8 days per capita)
Adjustment and exercise disorders (4th place, 0.5 days per capita)
Recurrent depression (5th place with 0.3 days per capita)
other neurotic disorders (8th place with 0.3 days per capita)
Somatoform disorders (9th place with 0.2 days per capita)
other anxiety disorders (12th place with 0.2 days per capita)

Average duration of sick leave decreased
According to the information, the mental absences stagnated at a high level compared to the previous year. Overall, the increase since 2006, according to TK 86 percent.

The nationwide sickness rate for all diagnoses fell slightly in 2016 compared to the previous year from 4.23 to 4.18 percent.

According to the TK, however, the number of sick leave did not decrease, but only the average duration of a sick leave from 12.8 to 12.6 days. (Ad)