By Sharyl Attkisson | April 30, 2026
Use of anxiety medications in the US has risen sharply, with about 38 million adults now taking them — roughly 8 million more than in 2019.
Among adults ages 18 to 34, usage increased from 8.8% to 14.6% over that period, marking the fastest growth among younger Americans.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has raised concerns about the expanding use of psychiatric drugs and directed federal officials to examine potential behavioral risks and withdrawal challenges.
Commonly prescribed antidepressants known as SSRIs are widely used to treat anxiety by altering brain chemistry. While some patients report relief, the drugs are also associated with side effects such as fatigue, brain fog, stomach upset and sexual dysfunction.
Data cited in the report show some patients stop treatment due to these effects.
Kennedy has also raised concerns about withdrawal, saying some individuals experience difficulty stopping long-term use. He said that he personally knows individuals, including family members, who had “a tougher time quitting SSRIs than people have quitting heroin.”
Federal officials are also reviewing whether certain psychiatric medications may be linked to behavioral changes.
Other anxiety drugs, including benzodiazepines such as Xanax, carry known risks of dependency as tolerance builds over time.
The rise in prescriptions comes amid broader social and cultural shifts, including increased social media use, economic stress and isolation, which researchers say contribute to higher anxiety levels.
Some experts say online platforms are also shaping how younger people approach mental health, including increased self-diagnosis and easier access to prescriptions through telehealth.
The report also points to non-drug approaches that may help address anxiety, including regular exercise, improved sleep, reduced social media exposure and stronger social connections.
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