Psychological disorders and behavioral disorders were the leading cause of hospitalizations for children and adolescents in Germany aged 10 to 17 in 2021, according to the latest data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). Out of approximately 427,600 hospital patients in this age group, nearly 81,000 were treated for mental health conditions, accounting for 19% of all hospitalizations. In comparison, mental health diagnoses made up 6% of the total of over 15.3 million hospitalizations for adults aged 18 and above. Among children and adolescents aged 10 to 17, girls were more likely to be hospitalized for psychological disorders and behavioral issues, with 24% of female patients receiving such diagnoses compared to 13% of males.
Following psychological and behavioral disorders, injuries and poisonings were the second most common reason for hospitalizations among 10- to 17-year-olds in 2021, accounting for another 19% of cases. Approximately 79,700 patients in this age group received treatment for injuries and poisonings. Symptoms with no specific diagnosis accounted for 11% of hospitalizations, with nearly 46,100 cases falling into this category. These symptoms included abdominal and pelvic pain, fainting and collapse, and headaches.
The proportion of hospitalizations due to psychological disorders and behavioral issues has been steadily increasing over the years. In 2011, approximately 13% of hospital patients aged 10 to 17 (around 75,200 out of over 588,300) were treated for mental health conditions. By 2021, that number had risen to nearly 81,000 cases out of 427,600 hospitalizations. In 2011, psychological disorders ranked as the second most common reason for hospitalizations in this age group, while injuries and poisonings accounted for the highest proportion at 20%. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 83,900 children and adolescents were hospitalized for mental health conditions, making up 16% of the over 533,400 hospitalizations in this age group. In that year, injuries and poisonings were still the primary cause of hospitalizations.
Depression was found to be the most common diagnosis among children and adolescents hospitalized for mental health reasons in 2021, with over 21,900 cases. Alcohol-related mental health conditions, including the consequences of alcohol abuse and acute alcohol intoxication, were the second most frequent diagnosis, accounting for nearly 9,300 cases. Reactions to severe stress and adjustment disorders were also significant, affecting over 7,700 patients in this age group.
The number of psychotherapists in Germany has been steadily increasing, with approximately 53,000 practitioners in 2021 compared to around 36,000 in 2011. However, nearly half of all psychotherapists (45%) worked part-time or as part of marginal employment, with female practitioners accounting for 84% of this group.
The data on hospitalizations reflect the number of cases, and individuals may be counted multiple times if they were treated for the same primary diagnosis in the same year. The decline in hospitalizations in 2020 and 2021 can be attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The high demand for hospital resources due to COVID-19 patients, the need to keep beds available, and intensified hygiene protocols resulted in the postponement of “non-urgent” treatments. Additionally, many individuals likely avoided hospital stays if they did not deem them absolutely necessary.
Further information on the most common diagnoses for hospitalizations by age groups and other characteristics can be found in the Health Reporting of the Federal Government.
https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2023/07/PD23_N042_231.html