Prevalence and Incidence of Psychiatric Illness in College Students: A Four Year Prospective Study

A cohort of entering college students was studied prospectively, using behaviorally specific diagnostic criteria, over a period of four years to obtain data on rates and changes in psychiatric functioning. The four year prevalence of psychiatric illness was 39%, with yearly prevalences well within the range reported by other investigators. Depression accounted for over 90% of the diagnoses. A strikingly low proportion of those judged ill using our criteria sought treatment. Implications of these results were discussed.