After enduring a tough year filled with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation for breast cancer, Sadia Zapp found herself increasingly anxious. It wasn’t the typical background worry she was used to; it was something much more consuming. “Every little ache, like my knee hurts,” she noted, leading her to fear, “this is the end of the road for me.”
So, at 40 years old and working as a communications director in New York, she joined millions of Americans who have started taking medication for anxiety in recent years. For Zapp, the choice was Lexapro, a drug that boosts serotonin levels.
“I love it. It’s been great,” she explained. “It’s really helped me manage.” The proportion of American adults on anxiety medications increased from 11.7% in 2019 to 14.3% in 2024, with most of this rise occurring during the COVID pandemic. That accounts for about eight million additional people, totaling around 38 million, including significant increases among young adults, college-educated individuals, and those identifying as LGBTQ+.
Despite growing public acceptance of psychiatric medications—now more accessible through telehealth—some critics from the “Make America Healthy Again” movement argue against the use of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). They contend that these medications can be harmful. However, medical professionals assert that drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro are effective treatments for several anxiety disorders, being wrongly characterized as addictive or broadly dangerous despite evidence supporting their safety for long-term use.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spoken out against increasing SSRI prescriptions. During his confirmation hearing, he mentioned having known individuals, including family members, who found it harder to stop taking SSRIs than to quit heroin. More recently, he stated that his agency is exploring a potential connection between SSRIs and violent behaviors, such as school shootings.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has also raised concerns, suggesting that SSRIs could lead to adverse birth outcomes when taken by pregnant women.
Common side effects of SSRIs include upset stomach, fatigue, and a sense of “brain fog.” Some may also experience reduced libido and other sexual side effects. However, many find the side effects manageable and consider the anxiety relief worth it, according to Patrick Kelly, president of the Southern California Psychiatric Society. He commented that claims against SSRIs lack factual backing.
A recent in-depth study found that over half of those with generalized anxiety who took an SSRI experienced at least a 50% reduction in symptoms. Notably, about one in twelve stopped taking their SSRIs due to side effects.
“When it’s being done right, along with suitable therapy, SSRIs can be really, really beneficial,” said psychiatrist Emily Wood from Los Angeles.
MAHA Attributes Anxiety to Poor Lifestyle Choices
Supporters of MAHA attribute rising anxiety levels, along with other health issues, to poor diets and a lack of physical activity. As potential solutions, they advocate reducing the intake of ultraprocessed foods—linked to anxiety and depression in recent studies—and increasing exercise while cutting down screen time.
Psychiatrists often recommend a healthy diet and regular exercise as complementary therapies for anxiety and depression. Wood encourages those who can manage anxiety without medications to consider talk therapy. The number of American adults seeking mental health counseling surged from 2019 to 2024 as teletherapy became more widespread. “Anxiety disorders are among those that respond really well to cognitive behavioral therapy,” she emphasized.
However, medications can also play a crucial role.
Research indicates that the risks associated with SSRIs during pregnancy are low for both mother and child. In contrast, Wood noted that “depression increases your risk for every complication for a mother and a baby,” criticizing government officials for potentially harmful statements regarding SSRIs used during pregnancy.
Some people experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea or insomnia upon stopping antidepressants, particularly if they cease abruptly. Nonetheless, Kelly affirmed that “the concept of addiction simply does not apply to these chemicals,” a claim supported by various studies.
Addiction can indeed be a risk with benzodiazepines like Xanax, often used as a secondary treatment for anxiety. These controlled substances may also heighten the risk of opioid overdose for individuals taking both types of medication. During congressional hearings last year, Kennedy also pointed out the issue of benzodiazepine overuse.
While benzodiazepines are effective in the short term, they require careful monitoring. “These medications are good for acute anxiety but not ideal as long-term solutions because they can become habit-forming,” Wood elaborated. “If taken daily, increasing doses may be needed to achieve the same effects, necessitating a careful tapering off.”
Increasingly, some individuals are also turning to beta-blockers like propranolol for anxiety. Though not FDA-approved for treating anxiety, these medications are sometimes prescribed for their ability to manage symptoms such as rapid heartbeat during stressful situations. They are considered non-addictive and can help calm the nervous system without significant medical risks.
Social Changes Fuel Rising Anxiety Medication Use
Several theories are emerging regarding the rise in anxiety medication use, particularly among younger adults. Experts highlight factors like social media interactions, increased isolation, and economic worries. Furthermore, accessing these medications has become relatively straightforward; many people receive prescriptions from their primary care doctors, while others obtain them after quick teletherapy sessions.
Social media influencers discussing their mental health challenges have helped destigmatize seeking help, particularly among young people. A recent study found that roughly a third of teens turn to social media for mental health information.
However, the combination of easy access to anxiety medication with self-diagnosis trends based on social media can lead to issues. Searching for terms like “buy Xanax online” yields advertising for quick treatment, though it often indicates a prescription is not guaranteed.
“I think increased access is good, but that’s not quite the same as just ordering Xanax online,” Kelly commented.
Young adults are significantly driving this surge in anxiety medication use, with the percentage of adults aged 18 to 34 taking anxiety medications rising from 8.8% in 2019 to 14.6% in 2024. In contrast, the figures for those 65 and older remained relatively stable, according to CDC data.
The pandemic and lockdowns heightened anxiety for many American adults, particularly younger individuals.
Moreover, a pattern shows that more women than men take anxiety medications. Jason Schnittker, a sociology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, suggests this might be because women are both more likely to need these medications and to report anxiety. He added that healthcare providers tend to recognize anxiety more readily in female patients than males.
Broad societal trends might also contribute to this increase. Schnittker referenced studies indicating that anxiety has become more prevalent across generations during the 20th and 21st centuries. He believes that rising income inequality might exacerbate feelings of stress related to economic status, with more people feeling isolated, and growing suspicion towards one another contributing to anxiety around social interactions.
For Zapp, it took a few months of using Lexapro to see notable results. When she finally did, she described her mind as feeling less cluttered, making it easier for her to focus. Although she also engaged in talk therapy, her anxiety is mainly managed through the medication now.
“It definitely helped me get back to my day-to-day in a way that was productive and not just riddled with my anxieties throughout the day,” she affirmed.
