[Work-related depression]. / Depression und Arbeitswelt.

Since the 1990's there is a change at many workplaces in industrialized countries. Work related depression emerges as a major cause of long-term sickness. The relationship between work and depression is bidirectional: work gives acceptance and self-confidence to the individual but stress at the workplace may precede depression. The relationship between work-related stress and depressive disorders is shortly reviewed. The underestimated costs of lost productivity by depression are so impressive that better preventional and interventional strategies are necessary to reduce early disability payments and to improve rehabilitation at the workplace.