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Discover a proven adjunctive therapy for depression.

deprexis is a web application indicated for the adjunctive treatment of chronic or recurrent depression or depressive disorders as a primary or secondary diagnosis (e.g., as a comorbidity in multiple sclerosis or epilepsy) for patients 18 years of age or older who are experiencing a depressive episode.

deprexis is intended to be used as a patient-facing self-application adjunctive to care as usual:

• Self-application means that deprexis helps patients self-manage their condition without providing specific clinical treatment suggestions.
• Adjunctive to care as usual means to facilitate supplemental care. deprexis can be safely used without active oversight by a medical professional. However, for serious conditions necessitating professional medical care, the use of the program is not intended to replace or discourage seeking treatment from a healthcare provider.

The program is accessible for a duration of 90 days.

deprexis is indicated as an adjunctive digital tool for adults (18 years of age and older) experiencing depressive symptoms or diagnosed with:

• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) (single or recurrent episode; mild, moderate, or severe without psychotic features)
• Depressive disorders co-occurring with other medical conditions (e.g., as a secondary condition in multiple sclerosis or epilepsy)

• F20 Schizophrenia
• F23 Acute and transient psychotic disorders
• F25 Schizoaffective disorders
• F31 Bipolar affective disorder
• R45.8 Other symptoms involving mood

deprexis should not be used in the presence of a bipolar disorder, a psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia), or a suicidal risk.

Explanation: A suicidal risk exists if a patient has had a serious intention to take their own life within the past 90 days (regardless of whether a specific plan for implementation was present). A risk also exists if a patient has attempted to take their own life within the past 12 months.

deprexis features a main interactive module and several supporting secondary functions. The main function consists of a guided, interactive dialogue. Within this module, deprexis provides brief information, and the user selects the predefined response option that best fits their individual situation. deprexis then responds dynamically to this selection and provides the next tailored step in the program. This creates an engaging, structured user experience.

Furthermore, users are encouraged to complete practical exercises (assignments), which are reflected upon in subsequent sessions.

Users can pause deprexis at any time and resume right where they left off. Regular reminders to take breaks are integrated into the program.

deprexis also includes a range of supporting functions, such as:

• SMS or Email Notifications (optional): Messages that reinforce key concepts and encourage continued engagement with the program.
• Symptom Self-Assessment: Questionnaires allowing users to track their progress over time.
• Downloadable Worksheets & Exercises: Practice materials, training modules, and PDF summaries to support daily application.
• Audio Guides: Guided exercises and audio explanations of key psychological concepts.

deprexis does not provide crisis intervention or emergency services. A suicidal risk exists if a patient has had a serious intent to end their life within the past 90 days or has attempted self-harm within the past 12 months. Patients experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts should immediately contact emergency services (such as 988 in the US) or seek urgent medical attention.

When launching the program, users can select their preferred language. deprexis is available in German, English, French, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Italian, Swedish, Traditional Chinese and Japanese.

deprexis is built on the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), an established, evidence-based approach widely recommended in clinical practice guidelines for depression.

The clinical profile of deprexis is supported by extensive research, including multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Across 11 clinical trials involving more than 2,800 participants worldwide, deprexis was evaluated as an adjunctive digital program to standard care compared to standard care alone.

Key study findings (e.g., Meyer et al., 2015; Klein et al., 2016) demonstrated a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (measured via the Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9) after 3 months of use, with observable differences sustained at follow-up.

Furthermore, a comprehensive meta-analysis of 12 RCTs involving nearly 3,000 patients (Twomey et al., 2020) demonstrated a significant average reduction in depressive symptoms with a medium effect size (Hedge’s g = 0.51; 95% CI 0.40–0.62).

These studies indicate that using deprexis as an adjunct to standard clinical care can effectively help manage depressive symptoms.

Meyer B, Berger T, Caspar F, Beevers CG, Andersson G, Weiss M. Effectiveness of a novel integrative online treatment for depression (Deprexis): randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2009;11(2): e15. Published 2009 May 11. doi:10.2196/jmir.1151

Berger T, Hämmerli K, Gubser N, Andersson G, Caspar F. Internet-based treatment of depression: a randomized controlled trial comparing guided with unguided self-help. Cogn Behav Ther. 2011;40(4):251-266. doi:10.1080/16506073.2011.616531

Moritz S, Schilling L, Hauschildt M, Schröder J, Treszl A. A randomized controlled trial of internet-based therapy in depression. Behav Res Ther. 2012;50(7-8):513-521. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2012.04.006

Schröder J, Brückner K, Fischer A, et al. Efficacy of a psychological online intervention for depression in people with epilepsy: a randomized controlled trial. Epilepsia. 2014;55(12):2069-2076. doi:10.1111/epi.12833

Meyer B, Bierbrodt J, Schröder J et al. Effects of an Internet intervention (Deprexis) on severe depression symptoms: Randomized controlled trial. Internet Intervent. 2015;2(1):48-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2014.12.003

Fischer A, Schröder J, Vettorazzi E, et al. An online programme to reduce depression in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet Psychiatry. 2015;2(3):217-223. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)00049-2

Klein JP, Berger T, Schröder J, et al. Effects of a Psychological Internet Intervention in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depressive Symptoms: Results of the EVIDENT Study, a Randomized Controlled Trial. Psychother Psychosom. 2016;85(4):218-228. doi:10.1159/000445355

Berger T. Evaluating an e-mental health program ("deprexis") as adjunctive treatment tool in psychotherapy for depression: results of a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. J Affect Disord, 2017; vol. 227, pp. 455-462

Beevers C. Effectiveness of an internet intervention (deprexis) for depression in a United States adult sample: a parallel-group pragmatic randomized controlled trial. J Consult Clin Psychol, 2017; vol. 85, pp. 1-14

Zwerenz R. Improving the Course of Depressive Symptoms After Inpatient Psychotherapy Using Adjunct Web-Based Self-Help: Follow-Up Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(10): e13655. doi:10.2196/13655

Bücker L, Bierbrodt J, Hand I, Wittekind C, Moritz S. Effects of a depression-focused internet intervention in slot machine gamblers: A randomized controlled trial [published correction appears in PLoS One. 2018 Aug 23;13(8):e0203145]. PLoS One. 2018;13(6):e0198859. Published 2018 Jun 8. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0198859

12. Twomey C, O’Reilly G, Bültmann O, Meyer B. Effectiveness of a tailored, integrative Internet intervention (deprexis) for depression: Updated meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2020;15(1):e0228100. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228100

deprexis is committed to protecting user privacy and maintains high standards for data security. The platform is designed to align with applicable US privacy and health data standards, including HIPAA principles for safeguarding protected health information. Personal data is treated with strict confidentiality and is not sold or shared with unauthorized third parties. Data is processed and stored on secure, encrypted servers.

Privacy Policy & Instructions for Use for deprexis: https://deprexis.com/us-en/privacy-policy

GAIA maintains a target annual online availability for deprexis of 99.5%. deprexis contains no paid add-ons or functional extensions; all features are fully available to registered users.

deprexis provides information about depression and introduces exercises, methods, and techniques that can be integrated into daily life. deprexis offers the following content:

• Exploring the connection between positive activities and mood, alongside the concept of basic psychological needs (such as competence, autonomy, and social connectedness).
• Identifying and managing automatic negative thoughts and cognitive distortions (e.g., catastrophizing or emotional reasoning).
• Practicing relaxation techniques (e.g., progressive muscle relaxation) and understanding the impact of lifestyle habits (e.g., physical activity, nutrition) on mental well-being.
• Learning strategies to accept and navigate unwanted thoughts and emotions rather than suppressing them.
• Applying structured approaches to analyze challenges and develop practical, real-world solutions.
• Understanding how early learning patterns can influence current emotional responses and developing healthier behavioral habits.
• Examining how social interactions affect mood and learning positive communication strategies to build healthy relationships.
• Introduction to the core elements of positive psychology (e.g., resource activation), focusing on personal strengths and talents.

deprexis is a web-based application. To access and use the program, you need an internet-enabled device, an active internet connection, and an up-to-date web browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari). An email address is required for account setup, and an optional mobile number is needed if you choose to receive SMS notifications.

Recommended Technical Specifications:

• Screen Resolution: Minimum 320 x 568 pixels
• Internet Bandwidth: Minimum 192 kbps (recommended for smooth audio playback)

Our website and platform have been designed to be accessible. However, if you notice any issues in this regard, please feel free to contact us by email at info@deprexis.com.

To ensure data portability as well as semantic and technical interoperability, the HL7® FHIR® standard (https://www.hl7.org/fhir) is used in conjunction with the MIO DiGA Toolkit, version DiGA Toolkit 1.1.0 (DiGA Toolkit 1.1.0 - DiGA Toolkit 1.1.0 - MIO ).

Under the "Personal Data" menu item, users can view an overview of the modules they have completed and the progression of their self-assessments using the self-assessment scales (e.g., mood check). This data can be exported in a human-readable format by clicking the "Create PDF" button.

In accordance with its intended use, deprexis should only be used as an adjunctive digital tool for adults (18 years of age and older) who are experiencing depressive symptoms or diagnosed with a depressive disorder.

Any changes to existing medications, dosages, or ongoing treatment plans must not be made without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. Patients should contact their healthcare provider if their condition or mood does not improve over a prolonged period (several days or weeks) or if symptoms worsen acutely.

Emergency & Safety Warning regarding Suicidality:

deprexis is not designed for crisis intervention. If you experience thoughts of taking your own life or causing self-harm, seek immediate medical attention:

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (available 24/7 in the US).

deprexis is contraindicated and should not be used by individuals with:

• Psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder)
• Bipolar disorder
• Active suicidal risk or imminent risk of self-harm

Note on Suicidal Risk: A suicidal risk exists if a patient has had a serious intent to end their life within the past 90 days (regardless of whether a specific plan was present) or has attempted self-harm within the past 12 months.