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Objectives This study investigates the assessment of change of depressive symptoms and severity of depression with the "Health of the Nation Outcome Scales" (HoNOS) in an inpatient setting. Method Participants were 132 adults diagnosed with depressive disorder (F32: n=102; F33: n=30). Bivariate correlations were used to determine the correlation of the HoNOS with self-reported (BDI) and observer-rated depressive symptoms (HAMD). The predictive validity of the HoNOS was analysed with linear regression models. Results The HoNOS differentiated significantly between patients with moderate versus severe depression at baseline (p<0,05). It correlated with the HAMD change score (r=0,25, p<0,008), but not with the BDI change score (r=0,19, p>0,008).The HoNOS was not a significant predictor of observer-rated depression at discharge (β=0,03, p>0,05). Conclusion As the HoNOS only partially seems to assess the change and severity of depressive symptoms, it should only be used in combination with depression-specific instruments., Competing Interests: Interessenkonflikt: Dr. Barbara Hochstrasser, M.P.H. war in 2015 und 2016 Mitglied des Advisory Boards für die antidepressive Substanz Vortiotexine der Firma Lundbeck AG.2015 erhielt das Schweizer Expertennetzwerk für Burnout (SEB), welches Dr. Hochstrasser präsidiert, Sponsoring Beiträge für ein durch das SEB organisierte Symposium von den Firmen Lundbeck, Medisuisse, Schwabe Pharma, Mepha. Die anderen Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Public relations activities of the German Research Network on Schizophrenia (GRNS) have shown that there is a demand for more information about schizophrenia disorder. This confirms international research findings that relatives of schizophrenia patients are particularly in need of information and support. In response, the GRNS has maintained a telephone hotline since 2001. The hotline is manned by clinical experts, psychiatrists, or psychologists once a week. The telephone calls are documented in a systematic manner. From 2001 to 2003, 3,909 calls were registered. This volume exceeds the limit of the hotline's resources. The telephone hotline is mainly used by relatives of psychotic patients. Most questions relate to the symptoms of schizophrenia and pharmaceutical treatment. The need for emotional support is also a high motivational factor for dialing the hotline number. The telephone hotline seems to be a worthwhile addition to the already existing crisis telephones and should be maintained even after public funding of the network expires.

The occurrence of depressive symptoms in schizophrenia is fairly common. In contrast to earlier assumptions, they usually have unfavorable consequences on the course of the disease. The response of depressive symptoms to therapy is well documented by empirical evidence and studies. In reality, however, the treatment of depressive symptoms in cases of schizophrenia occurs too rarely. This lack of medical treatment is partially explained by the clinicians' apprehension that antidepressive therapy could provoke a flare up of the psychosis. Nonetheless, this situation is often founded on the incorrect assessment of the depressive symptoms as negative symptoms that, in turn, are regarded by many clinicians as having limited treatability. In regards to this circumstance, a rethinking is desirable and, as a matter of principle, necessary.