Background and objective: Even in young adult age, psychological disorders are highly prevalent. Family doctors and gynaecologists are the physicians most often consulted by young women. Hence, they have a special responsibility to diagnose psychiatric disorders and - if necessary - to refer to a specialist. Patients and methods: In a prospective epidemiological study, 342 young women (between 18 and 25 years of age) were questioned two times with a structured interview (F-DIPS) designed for mental disorders. In the time period (1997 and 1998), we also investigated, by analysing personal health insurance data, primary-care physicians' diagnoses and payments for services rendered. The diagnoses were compared. Results: There was only a small accordance between F-DIPS and claimcards. Ambulant treating doctors diagnosed somatoform disorders in 28% of the young women (F-DIPS: 3, 8%). The F- DIPS found mostly phobic disorders (29%) (claimcards: 6,1%). A disorder-specific therapy was only rarely initiated. The treatment (psychotherapy and/or drug therapy) ofwomen with psychiatric disorders appeared to be insufficient. Conclusion: The study indicates that primary-care physicians should be urgently trained in psychiatric diagnostics und therapy.