Friday, February 6, 2026

Depression Barometer 2025 reveals: Social media shapes the understanding of depression – general practitioners remain indispensable in treatment

The digital world has become a central source of information in healthcare. This also applies to depression: an increasing number of people are turning to the internet for guidance. The latest evaluation of the Germany Depression Barometer 2025 shows that 78% of people actually affected by depression search online for information about their condition. In addition, almost one in two adults in Germany has already researched depression online – regardless of whether they are personally affected.

Social Media and AI: Education with a Downside

Social media platforms are gaining importance as sources of information. Around 40% of people in Germany have recently seen content about depression on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok or Facebook; among those affected, the figure rises to 47%. Digital content can have a positive impact: one in six affected individuals reports being encouraged by social media posts to seek help. For around 10%, a post was even the trigger to reflect on a possible personal condition for the first time.

At the same time, the barometer clearly highlights the limitations of digital information sources. 65% of people affected find it difficult to assess the credibility of depression-related content on social media. Misinformation, oversimplified portrayals or non-evidence-based recommendations can create uncertainty and negatively affect treatment outcomes. AI-based tools also cannot replace professional diagnosis and therapy by physicians.

General Practitioners as the First Point of Contact

General practitioners play a key role in the care of people with depression. They are often the first point of contact, know their patients’ personal circumstances and provide holistic, long-term care. Especially in the digital age, they act as essential guides: helping to interpret symptoms, correct misinformation and discuss appropriate treatment options together with patients.

A large-scale study conducted by King’s College London and published in the medical journal The Lancet analyzed 30 different antidepressants in more than 58,000 patients. The results show that side effects such as weight gain, increased blood pressure and sexual dysfunction are common reasons for discontinuing therapy. The discontinuation rate for synthetic antidepressants is approximately 40%.

St John’s Wort Extract: An Evidence-Based Alternative

For patients with mild to moderate depression, St John’s wort extract represents an evidence-based, guideline-recommended treatment option. High-dose, standardized preparations demonstrate comparable efficacy to synthetic antidepressants, while offering a significantly more favorable tolerability profile.

St John’s wort extract acts on the neurotransmitters dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin without strongly interfering with individual systems. Typical side effects such as weight gain, daytime drowsiness or sexual dysfunction occur far less frequently. This supports treatment adherence and improves patients’ quality of life, while maintaining clinically proven efficacy.

Conclusion

Digital information sources can educate, motivate and help reduce stigma. At the same time, personal medical guidance remains indispensable. General practitioners are trusted partners in helping patients interpret information, guide treatment decisions and provide reassurance – especially in an increasingly digital healthcare landscape.