Anyone who has spent long periods of time watching German reality television can probably attest to the fact that at some point it all turns into a bit of a downer. But according to a new study, being a contestant on one of those shows may actually lead to years of depression.

According to a recent study by the International Central Institute for Youth and Educational Television (IZI) in Munich and the Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia (LfM), some contestants on German competitive reality shows -- or "Castingshows," as they are called here -- have such traumatic experiences that years afterward they are still seriously depressed.

The study followed 59 former participants of shows like "Das Supertalent," "The Voice of Germany" and "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" (the German version of "American Idol") from the age of 16 to 34. About half of those interviewed saw the experience as largely positive, a third had mixed feelings and about one-fifth had very negative experiences -- with at least one study participant needing professional psychological care.

"We really have cases in which we can say that damage has occurred," the study's head author Maya Götz told the German news agency DPA. Younger candidates in particular seem to experience serious negative effects, and Götz added that the study raises questions about the protection of minors.

One study participant, who was 18 when he appeared on television, told the researchers: "I would never have applied if I'd known what they do to people -- just make them look stupid so that people have something to laugh at," DPA reported.