[From the First Symptoms of Depression to Treatment. When and Where are People Seeking Help? Does Stigma Play a Role? - Results from a Survey at a German Convention for People with Depression].

Only a few of the people affected by depression receive early treatment. The aim of this study is to determine the time interval between first onset of symptoms and treatment utilization and the role of stigma in this process. Survey with participants from the 2nd German Patient Convention in Leipzig, Germany for patients, relatives and the general public. About one fourth of the respondents stated that the time interval between first symptoms of depression and treatment utilization was longer than three years. One third said that they received treatment immediately or until up to three months after the first symptoms of depression, and one third after three months up to three years. The majority (64 %) said that they first received a depression diagnosis from a specialist. The most common treatments used were psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy and a combination of both. Self-help, physical activity and occupational therapy were named as the most popular non-medical treatments. A possible explanation for delayed treatment utilization could be the perceived public stigma, which was higher in people with depression in comparison to other convention attendees (relatives and general public).