Incidence of psychiatric treatment of adolescents

The characteristics of adolescents aged 15-19 years who received psychiatric treatment for the first time in British Columbia in 1966 are considered. Females predominated substantially over males, as did those living in urban areas over those in rural ones. Somatic, psychological, behavioural and suicidal presenting problems were commoner in females, with delinquent and academic ones being more frequent in males. Depression, psychoneurosis and personality disorders were commoner in females. Medication was used in conjunction with psychotherapy more frequently in females. Long-term psychotherapy (more than 16 visits to a psychiatric facility) was employed in only 3% of females and 2% of males. Psychiatrists provided the greatest amount of care given. The hypothesis that females from rural areas living in the city constitute a vulnerable group of individuals more likely than their adolescent peers to seek psychiatric care requires evaluation in a further study.