Dr. med. Julia Peters

Psychological disorders are among the most widespread diseases nowadays. According to a WHO study, one in ten people worldwide suffers from depression or anxiety disorders, no small number of them having to undergo inpatient treatment at a psychiatric or psychosomatic clinic. Burnout and dementia are also common psychological diseases.

Only an experienced psychiatric expert or psychotherapist can make a clinical diagnosis. This involves assessing whether the patient is suffering from one particular or indeed several psychological disorders, and how pronounced these are. This is important because the type of therapy can differ considerably depending on the kind and severity of the disease.

Disorders of the cerebral metabolism may play a part in some psychological diseases. In this case, drugs (known as psychotropic drugs) can be used. Psychotherapy is also a scientifically founded method of treating psychological diseases. 

Patients coming from abroad need to consider in advance whether it makes sense to undergo therapy in the presence of a trusted interpreter. It is also important to remember that psychotherapy is a lengthy process that can rarely be completed in just a handful of sessions.