Even as anxiety treatment rates rise across the United States, comments from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have sparked renewed debate over the role of psychiatric medications in managing mental health disorders. Kennedy’s skepticism about anxiety medications comes at a time when more Americans than ever are seeking professional help for anxiety, depression, and related conditions.
According to survey data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the proportion of American adults who took anxiety medications jumped from 11.7 per cent in 2019 to 14.3 per cent in 2024 - with most of the increase occurring during the COVID pandemic. That comes to around 8 million more people, bringing the total to roughly 38 million, with sharp increases among young adults, people with a college degree, and adults who identify as LGBTQ+.
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions in the country. CDC says symptoms of anxiety and depression have increased significantly in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors like economic uncertainty, social isolation, work-related stress, and digital burnout have contributed to the surge.
Mental health experts say that greater awareness has also reduced stigma, encouraging more people to seek therapy, counselling, and medication. Primary care physicians and psychiatrists are reporting higher demand for treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy, and anti-anxiety medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Kennedy questions the safety and long-term effects of psychiatric drugs, expressing concern about overprescription and potential side effects. His remarks align with a broader conversation in the US about pharmaceutical regulation, transparency in clinical trials, and the influence of drug manufacturers.
Around 38 million people take medications for anxiety in the US
While some Americans share concerns about medication dependency and adverse effects, mental health professionals caution against broad generalizations. They emphasize that anxiety medications, when prescribed appropriately and monitored by a licensed provider, can be life-changing - and in some cases, life-saving.
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Among the most commonly prescribed anxiety medications - SSRIs, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and, in short-term cases, benzodiazepines- balance neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood, fear response, and stress.
Among the major side effects of these medicines are nausea, sleep disturbances, or temporary increases in anxiety during the adjustment period. However, psychiatrists note that most side effects are manageable and often diminish over time. Importantly, medication is rarely the only recommended treatment. Many experts advocate a combined approach - therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication when needed - to address anxiety disorders holistically.
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