[Epidemology and treatment of depressive disorders]

5-10% of the general population suffer from depressive disorders, one third of which are chronic. Depression impairs the quality of life, and 30.8% of patients show reduced working capacity. Patients are on average 10.9 days per month on sick leave. About half of the depressed patients undergo treatment, contacting general practitioners at an average of 14.5 times, psychotherapists 2 times and psychiatrists 1.4 times per year. Approximately 100 million daily doses of specific antidepressants are prescribed per year in Germany, an amount enough to treat 1% of the general population, which is indicative of an insufficient treatment rate. Pharmacotherapy has been found to be more effective than psychotherapy in acute episodes. However, psychotherapy patients show better long term results in respect to relapses and social adaptation. Due to the large number of depressed patients, general practitioners are the primary therapists. Referral to psychiatrists or psychotherapists is indicated in cases of chronic and complicated courses.