Survey: One in four adults feels very lonely
According to a representative survey, 25% of adults in Germany feel very lonely. The figure is more than twice as high (53%) in the group of people who say they are currently in a depressive phase.
This is the result of the "Germany Barometer Depression 2023", which is being presented today and has been made available to Deutsche Presse Agentur in advance. Perceived loneliness was measured using several criteria: For example, respondents were asked to say whether they always have someone to discuss everyday problems with. Or whether they lack a really good friend.
The feeling of loneliness - this year's focus topic - is seen by Depressionshilfe as a symptom of depression rather than a cause. This is because those affected often withdraw from their environment. Support from family and friends is therefore considered particularly important for coping with the treatable illness.
For the study commissioned by the German Depression Aid Foundation and Suicide Prevention, almost 5200 adults under the age of 70 were surveyed online, including people with and without depression. This is the seventh edition of the study, which annually investigates attitudes and experiences on the subject of depression in the German population. The "Germany Depression Barometer" is sponsored by the Deutsche Bahn Foundation.
According to the foundation, if certain symptoms occur for more than two weeks, this can be an indication of depression. These include, above all, a depressed mood and a lack of interest or joy, as well as, for example, sleep disorders, feelings of guilt and suicidal thoughts.
The high rate of perceived loneliness among individuals in a depressive phase highlights the significance of addressing both health issues and social affairs in relation to mental health diseases. Furthermore, the importance of science in understanding and combating depression, especially in identifying early symptoms, cannot be overstated.
Source: www.dpa.com
