[Psychological complaints and disorders of students]

Objectives of our investigation are the assessment of the prevalence of psychological disorders of students, the kind of symptoms and complaints and the frequency of treatment required. Secondly it is investigated whether the disorders of the clients consulting a counseling service are clinically relevant. The method has been a multidimensional field study of 346 students at the University of Heidelberg compared with 342 patients of the Psychotherapeutic Counseling Service of the University.

16% of the students assess themselves as severely mentally disordered and in need of treatment. This group shows objectively and clinically significant more frequent and more distinct psychological symptoms. The patients consulting a psychotherapeutic counseling service show the same degree of psychological symptoms as the persons of the control group who assess themselves as being in need of treatment. Depressive syndromes, working disorders, anxieties and interpersonal conflicts are the dominant areas of complaints. In the provision of counseling and treatment for students with psychological disorders, a psychotherapeutic counseling service plays its specific role.