Special depression treatment wards in the Federal Republic of Germany: A survey

Author(s): Wolfersdorf, Manfred, Kopittke, Wolfgang

Journal/Book: European Journal of Psychiatry. 1992; 6: 133-142.

Abstract: Reviews the experience of treating depression over the past 10 yrs in the depression wards in the Federal Republic of Germany. Putting severely depressed patients together in a depression ward has resulted in better understanding between patients rather than in contagion. Inpatient therapy on these wards consists of (1) crisis intervention, (2) combined inpatient drug therapy and psychotherapy lasting for an average of 6-12 wks, and (3) primary inpatient psychotherapy with or without accompanying psychopharmacological therapy. The types of available therapy include physical measures, relaxation training, music therapy, and group/individual psychotherapy. The therapeutic efficacy of the wards rests in the concentration of depressed patients in 1 ward and the emotional attention and esteem given to individual patients by all the staff.

Note: crisis intervention & drug therapy & psychotherapy; depressed inpatients of special treatment wards; past 10 yrs; West Germany

Keyword(s): Treatment facilities; major depression; west germany; crisis intervention; drug therapy; psychotherapy

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