The Local Germany

Older siblings aren't always smarter: study

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 13:51:28 +0200

Are firstborns more intelligent? Are the babies of the family the rebels? It's a theory that's dominated psychology since the 1990s. But new research by Leipzig and Mainz universities suggests there's little to support it.

Employees feel workloads 'out of control'

Mon, 16 Mar 2015 17:28:03 +0100

A report released on Monday found that rapidly inflating workloads are putting employees' health at risk due to stress.

Most depression patients get poor treatment

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 11:24:00 +0100

Even though one in five Germans will suffer from depression at some time in their lives, more than half of those who become badly ill do not receive sufficient medical help, according to new figures.

Beer as good as therapy for some: health boss

Thu, 07 Nov 2013 12:13:00 +0100

One of Germany's most powerful healthcare officials has made waves by saying that some psychological problems could be treated as well with a beer as with therapy.

Long lunches are 'bad for afternoon concentration'

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 11:58:00 +0200

It sounds like the study bully bosses have been waiting for - German scientists say a long, relaxed lunch with friends is bad for workers' concentration and attention to detail. A quick, boring meal eaten alone at a desk is better, they say.

Being hungry 'changes brain' to take risks

Tue, 25 Jun 2013 19:33:00 +0200

Everyone's been there: so hungry you'd brave a pack of marauding hyenas for a burger. Now scientists believe they've figured out how hunger makes people take bigger risks - it means different parts of the brain deal with danger.

Experiment simulates chronic crowd crush

Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:53:00 +0200

German scientists are conducting experiments to trace the behaviour and movement of crowds in a bid to prevent catastrophes, such as that seen at the 2010 Love Parade when 21 people were trampled to death in a stampede.

How our brains grasp giggles, grunts, guffaws

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:01:00 +0200

Whether a hearty guffaw, a surprised shriek, or a suppressed snort; every time someone laughs around us, our brains must interpret what it means. As German scientists have discovered, it's more complex than one might think.

Stressful pregnancies lead to anxious children

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 09:00:00 +0200

Severe emotional stress experienced by women during pregnancy can make their children more timid and prone to psychological problems later in life, according to new German research.

Surge in mental illness highlights psychotherapist dearth

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:21:00 +0200

There has been an alarming spike in psychological illnesses in Germany, but the country does not have enough therapists to handle the mounting problems, the BPtK national psychotherapists board warned on Thursday.

Scientists pinpoint genetic changes due to childhood trauma

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:25:00 +0100

Extreme stress and trauma in childhood can change a person’s genes, making them more susceptible to depression and other disorders, a new study published by the Max Planck Institute for Psychology in Munich has revealed.

Growing military trauma cases going untreated

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:44:00 +0200

The number of German soldiers suffering from psychological issues has risen dramatically in recent months, but the Bundeswehr has too few therapists to care for them.

Sweet snacks could lead to higher shopping bills

Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:06:00 +0200

Eating sweets before going shopping could result in paying more than usual, scientists have shown in a recent study.

Berlin centre offers web therapy for traumatized Iraqis

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 09:27:00 +0100

The US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and its violent and chaotic aftermath left behind not just blood, death and destruction, but also deep psychological scars for many.

Suicide in Germany down by half since 1980

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:34:00 +0200

The suicide rate in Germany is at a historic low - down by half since 1980 – according to this week’s edition of Focus magazine.

Psychological problems increasing for German jobless

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:09:00 +0200

Health expert for the Social Democrats (SPD) Karl Lauterbach has called for health insurance companies to “rethink” their policies for the unemployed, for whom psychological problems are on the rise.

German arachnophobia therapy may become standard

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:22:00 +0200

German scientists say they might have found an effective way to help millions of people worldwide who suffer from a debilitating fear of spiders.