The number of young people suffering from depression is increasing in Bavaria. In 2018, around 47,400 children, teenagers and young adults between the ages of five and 24 in Bavaria were diagnosed with a depressive episode, health insurance company Barmer said. In 2023 this number will increase to 64,000. Barmer is one of the largest health insurance companies in Bavaria. Due to the large number of people insured, their data is seen as representative of the Free State population.
This population group is the most affected group
It is young women and girls who are most affected. During that period, their numbers increased from around 30,300 to around 43,850. But cases also increased among boys and young men – albeit modestly, from around 17,000 to 20,200.
Antidepressant prescriptions are also increasing
As the disease progresses, more and more psychotropic drugs are used: the number of daily doses of antidepressants prescribed has increased significantly in recent decades. In 2012, according to all statutory health insurance companies, approximately 1.3 million daily doses were prescribed. Ten years later, the number had increased to 1.8 million, as announced by the “AOK Scientific Institute” (WldO).
However, antidepressants are not only prescribed for depression, but also for anxiety and compulsions. The practice of prescribing antidepressants remains controversial among professionals.
- About the article: Antidepressants: Criticism of prescribing practices is increasing
With information from dpa
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