Treating depression in the Bodensee region

Dear all;

My boyfriend is with depression signs and we are looking for medical assistance in the area of Radolfzell/Konstanz.
Here are our main doubts:
- A psychologist or a psychiatrist? He is pretty depressed but we are still not sure if he needs to take medication.
- Any recommendations about good doctors (and English speaking) in this field and in this area?
- Do health insurances cover this kind of costs? I know that there are usually restrictions on psychotherapy (limited number of sessions), but from what I understood normal appointments with a psychologist/psychiatrist would be covered. Any clue? We still need to make an health insurance.

Thanks in advance!

The first step should be a visit to your regular Hausarzt (GP).

Sorry have just seen this.
If you have not found anyone yet - I´m medical and would highly recommend Cornel Certain from the Praxis Certain/Barthelt in the SeeRhine Centre, Zähringer Platz, Konstanz. He is a GP but very experienced in psychiatry and it would be quicker than making a direct appointment with a psychiatrist. The GP appointment would be covered by health insurance + 10 Euro quarterly fee. Without health insurance - I´m not sure
Send me a private email if you need more information
Hope you get everything sorted soon

You have to figure out if it is real depression. That doesn't mean "shut up and pull yourself together" but as a sufferer who pulled himself out of a pit I can tell you there's a world of difference between the two. One is genuinely a case for tablets, psychiatric care, and perhaps a stay in hospital. A mate of mine who was a police officer in Wales once said there's a huge difference in suicidal people. One says he's going to do it but never does. The other closes his bank accounts and quietly shuffles off. Most people never get that low. I think that is depression which definitely needs treatment.

The other needs good loving people around him to tolerate a lot of the ensuing crap, and a good pair of running shoes. It might be the above treatment may do more harm than good. He may be suffering from inability to deal with modern life which is shit. This is what I call melancholy. In this situation, running in summer (impossible in Bavaria in winter its to fucking cold) or joining a gym (great move in winter Jeremy), learning to cook good food, counselling (my choice would be to join an art class as therapy if one existed) and learn meditation.

I hope this helps. Most people only suffer melancholy by which the latter approach works better.

Thanks for the replies;

Meanwhile we got him a private insurance, which of course doesn't cover psychotherapy in the first months. It is still not clear to us if appointments with psychologists or psychiatrists are considered psychotherapy.

On the bad phases we get pretty convinced it is depression. But then a good phase comes and the problem is delayed once again. The doubts remain about which kind of doctor or treatment should be better.

We think going to a GP first is a good solution, maybe we try Cornel Certain as advised.

Thanks again!

Sorry forgot to mention that Cornel does speak English, as does Nic Bohlender - another doctor in the practice.
Hope all gets sorted soon