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Principles and Practice of College Health pp 57–76 Cite as

Depression and Anxiety in College Students

  • Ayesha K. Chaudhary 3 , 4  
  • First Online: 05 December 2020

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College health clinicians are often first line in detecting the presence of, and providing intervention for, depressive and anxiety disorders in young adult students. Caring for mental health conditions in the primary care setting can be complex, requiring a nuanced and comprehensive approach. The importance of diagnostic accuracy and differentiation of clinical pathology from developmental, nonpathological states, along with carefully defining any underlying comorbidities, are determinants of intervention options and the successful resolution of symptoms. While symptom remission is in itself a primary outcome, other important outcomes include suicide risk reduction, treatment adherence, sustained remission, improved quality of life, and development of positive attitudes toward mental health care. This chapter provides a review of the epidemiology of depression and anxiety in college students, guidance for providers regarding the clinical diagnostic process, strategies to engage students in treatment planning, and an overview of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions.

  • Student health
  • Mental health care
  • Suicide risk
  • Symptom mapping
  • Pharmacologic
  • Nonpharmacologic

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Department of Psychiatry, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

Ayesha K. Chaudhary

Womens Health Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA

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Chaudhary, A.K. (2021). Depression and Anxiety in College Students. In: Vaughn, J.A., Viera, A.J. (eds) Principles and Practice of College Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-56309-7_4

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