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Survey: One in four adults feels very lonely
According to a survey, many people in Germany feel alone. photo
© Jonas Walzberg/dpa
Depression Help considers the feeling of loneliness to be a symptom of depression. Support from family and friends is particularly important in coping.
According to a representative study, 25 percent of adults in Germany feel this way Interview very lonely. The value is more than twice as high (53 percent) in the group of people who say they are currently in a depressive phase.
This emerges from the “Germany Barometer Depression 2023”, which is being presented today and which is available to the German Press Agency in advance. Perceived loneliness was recorded using several criteria: For example, respondents were asked to say whether they always have someone to discuss everyday problems with. Or whether they are missing a really good girlfriend or boyfriend.
Feelings of loneliness are less a cause than a symptom
The feeling of loneliness – the main topic this year – is viewed by depression help as a symptom of depression rather than a cause. Because those affected often withdraw from their environment. Support from family and friends is therefore particularly important for coping with the treatable illness.
For the study commissioned by the German Depression Aid and Suicide Prevention Foundation, almost 5,200 adults under the age of 70 were surveyed online, including people with and without depression. It is the seventh edition of the study, which annually determines attitudes and experiences regarding depression in the German population. The “Germany Barometer Depression” is funded by the Deutsche Bahn Foundation.
According to the foundation, if certain symptoms occur for more than two weeks, this may be an indication of depression. These include, above all, depressed mood and lack of interest or joy, as well as sleep disorders, feelings of guilt and suicidal thoughts.