Research and science

Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Witten / Herdecke

The Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Witten / Herdecke focuses on the research and development of integrative, interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches in the diagnosis and therapy of mentally ill children and adolescents. The topic is divided into three areas:

1. Research into the therapeutic effects of physical activity and movement and the mechanisms underlying them in the treatment of mentally ill children and adolescents: Physical activity and movement have an effect on cognition, behavior and psychological experience. In primary prevention, physical activity can protect people from neurodegenerative diseases in old age (dementia) and from the development of mental disorders (depression). Physical activity and exercise can also show therapeutic effects in the treatment of mental disorders, which could be shown for children and adolescents for the course of depressive episodes and hyperkinetic disorders. The aim of our work is to analyze specific therapeutic effects of the different forms of physical training for the treatment of depressive and hyperkinetic disorders and to develop them individually >Studies on the effectiveness of architectural concepts in the treatment of mentally ill children and adolescents ("Healing Architecture"): spatial structures, colors and access to nature influence our psychological experience and behavior in health and illness. The Ev >Research and development of cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary care concepts for the treatment of children and adolescents with mental disorders: According to a biopsychosocial understanding of illnesses, the sole consideration and care of mental symptoms cannot do justice to a sick child or adolescent, since the biological-somatic and social level does not be taken into account. An interdisciplinary approach enables a broader access to the activation of the child’s resources with the aim of giving the child an improved development perspective from the illness. A cross-sectoral (outreach, outpatient or inpatient) and interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of mental disorders could be an option to implement an individualized disorder-specific treatment that takes sufficient account of both psychological, social and biological aspects.

Head Doctor
Prof. Dr. med. Oliver Fricke

office
Tanja Dietrich / Petra Eickler / Cornelia Sachs / Annette Walter
Telephone (02330) 62-3909
Fax (02330) 62-3624
Email the department

University of Witten / Herdecke
The Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Witten / Herdecke is located. Prof. Dr. Oliver Fricke is chair holder of the Faculty of Health (Department of Human Medicine).