Digital health Apps on prescription – support for mental health conditions

Digital health apps (DiGA) are mobile apps or web applications that may be prescribed for medical purposes. They are also known as apps on prescription or health apps. Various apps are available that can offer support to people with mental health conditions.

Apps on prescription are used, for example, to treat 

• depression
• sleep disorders
• harmful alcohol consumption or alcohol dependence
• nicotine dependence 

All currently reimbursable apps available on prescription can be found in the DiGA directory compiled by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM).

Various digital health apps (DiGA) are available that are designed to support people with depression. These apps can usually be used independently. They are intended to be used to support ongoing treatment or to bridge gaps when waiting for treatment.

The main feature of some apps is an interactive dialog between the user and the application. For this purpose, the DiGA offers a selection of short snippets of information or exercises. From this selection, users can then choose which information or exercises are of particular interest to them or are most relevant to their current situation. The app then follows up with further information or exercises. This allows a “conversation” to flow between the user and the app.

Many apps provide background information about depression. In many cases, you can also keep a form of diary in the app. Here you can log, for example, your current mood, problems, experiences or contact with other people. Many apps also offer exercises with instructions and provide strategies for dealing with depression. 

In addition, some DiGA include early warning systems or safety features that are triggered if the symptoms of your depression worsen. When these are triggered, you may be provided with information about people you can contact, for example. In some cases, the app can also connect you directly to a helpline operated by “Telefonseelsorge” on request. 

Digital health apps (DiGA) to treat sleep disorders can help patients to fall asleep more easily, stay asleep for longer or avoid waking too early. 

Some apps allow you to keep a sleep diary. Different types of data can be logged in this diary, for example

• sleep duration
• time of going to bed and getting up 
• interruptions to sleep during the night
• habits, such as drinking coffee, that may impact sleep negatively
• subjective personal performance level

This data can be used, for example, to identify links between personal habits and sleep problems. The sleep diary also helps track how the sleep disorder is progressing and any improvements.

Apps for sleep disorders usually also provide background information about sleep disorders. In addition, these apps often offer various exercises, such as exercises that teach you how to reflect on your personal situation and certain behavior patterns or teach you various relaxation techniques. For example, techniques for dealing with persistent thoughts that interfere with sleep are taught and practiced. In some cases, you have the option of integrating fitness trackers for sleep analysis.

In other DiGA, the main feature is an interactive dialog between the user and the application. For this purpose, the DiGA offers a selection of short snippets of information or exercises, from which users can choose what is most interesting to them or most relevant to their current situation. The app then follows up with further information or exercises. This allows “conversation” to flow between the user and the app.

A digital health application (DiGA) for alcohol aims to help patients who consume harmful amounts of alcohol or suffer from alcohol dependence to reduce or stop their alcohol consumption. 

For this purpose, users enter into personalized interactions with the app content. You are provided with information about the effects of harmful levels of alcohol consumption, tailored to your own interests and needs. The app can be used to complement therapy provided by a doctor or psychotherapist.

Various digital health applications (DiGA) can support people in overcoming tobacco dependence and quitting smoking permanently. The apps normally include a 90-day program for quitting smoking that is tailored to the user’s individual needs. Most provide an option for logging progress or difficulties experienced in a diary. There may also be games, breathing exercises or videos to provide distraction. Some apps offer options for interacting with other users, for example, using a chat feature or in a discussion forum.

Digital health apps (DiGA) can support people with mental health conditions. However, there are also reasons why DiGA may not be suitable in certain individual situations. It is best to decide whether or not to use a specific DiGA in cooperation with a doctor or psychotherapist.

You can access a DiGA with a prescription. Prescriptions for DiGA can be issue by a doctor or psychotherapist. You can also for an app on prescription from your health insurance fund directly. To do this, you need, for example, to submit a document certifying the relevant diagnosis.

If several DiGA are available for your condition, you can compare the content of the apps in the DiGA directory. You can then work with your treatment provider to determine which DiGA best suits your needs. 

If you have any questions about access to a DiGA or its approval, use or security, please read the introductory article Digital health applications (DiGA) – apps on prescription.