[Depression --the most pragmatic diagnosis in medico-legal opinionating].

As it follows from the expertise practice of the authors, broadly understood "depression syndrome" is the most common diagnosis occurring in sick-leave certificates provided for legal procedures to the court. This problem is encountered in penal, civil and insurance cases. At the same time, in a significant percentage of cases, the patient's self-presentation does not correspond with the provided diagnosis. A particular legal situation of a person stigmatized with such a diagnosis clearly indicates its pragmatic character. Hence, several questions emerge: (1) Why does such a particular diagnosis prevail? (2) Is there another disease entity in psychiatry, which has such a broadly reactive background? On the basis of a particular case the authors formulate the problem of the appropriately understood interest of the patient. Does the current protection against broadly understood legal consequences cause the patient to fixate on the defense mechanisms and -- in consequence -- degradation of his functioning?