General information for adults. Not medical or psychotherapeutic advice; not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment.
“You just need to pull yourself together.”
The guideline describes reduced drive and tiring quickly among symptoms. The instruction treats such limitations as a simple choice of willpower, which does not reflect the condition described. [1]
“Depression always means looking sad.”
Patient information also describes emotional emptiness, reduced interest and other changes. One visible mood therefore cannot confirm or rule out depression. [2]
“Antidepressants help everyone – or no one.”
IQWiG describes differences between circumstances, alongside possible benefits and harms. Both absolute claims exceed that account. This source check cannot decide what is appropriate for an individual. [3]
“Every listed app has equally strong evidence.”
DiGA listing can be provisional or permanent. That distinction matters: “listed” alone does not fully describe the evidence status. [4]
How does our source check work?
We state the claim, choose relevant evidence and explain its scope. Listing sources does not replace appraisal. Corrections remain possible; medical expert review of these drafts is pending.
READ FURTHER & CHECK THE SOURCES
Sources and context
How should I interpret these sources?
Source notes identify the provider, their use in this article and known limitations. The source-comparison date below is not the original publication date. No update date is assumed where none is available. General findings cannot automatically be applied to an individual; independent medical review of this draft is pending.
- German National Clinical Practice Guideline · Chapter 2 ↗
Provider / domain: www.leitlinien.de
German-language clinical guideline. Used for diagnostic assessment and the limitations of questionnaires.
- IQWiG · InformedHealth.org: Depression ↗
Provider / domain: www.informedhealth.org
Plain-language overview. Used for terminology, symptoms and course.
- IQWiG: How effective are antidepressants? (German-language source) ↗
Provider / domain: www.gesundheitsinformation.de
Patient information on benefits, possible harms and interpretation of study findings. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- German federal portal: DiGA listing (German-language source) ↗
Provider / domain: verwaltung.bund.de
Official procedure for provisional and permanent listing in Germany; not a product recommendation. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
Research and source comparison: 29 October 2026. Prepared with AI assistance. Editorial responsibility: Mario V.W.B.R. Obst. Independent medical expert review is pending. Independent medical expert review has not taken place.