More than 1 in 5 American adults now takes at least one type of medication to treat a psychological or behavioral disorder, a 22% rise since 2001, according to a new report by Medco Health Solutions, which monitors drug trends in insurance claims. Does that mean Americans are overmedicating their minds?
Report: 1 in 5 American Adults Takes Mental Health Drugs
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problems in the U.S., affecting some 40 million American adults. Anxiety disorders, such as general anxiety, panic disorder and social phobia, are typically treated with benzodiazepines like Xanax and Valium. The Medco report notes that although these drugs can be helpful in the treatment of anxiety disorders, only about a third of sufferers receive treatment. Women are most likely to use anti-anxiety meds: about 11% of women aged 45 to 64 were taking the medications in 2010, compared with 5.7% of men that age. But the biggest rise in medication use for anxiety disorders was in children aged 10 to 19 — rates of use rose nearly 50% from 2001 to 2010. Use in adults over 65 fell by about the same amount. That decline was probably linked to a change in Medicare Part D prescription coverage, which excluded these drugs. Benzodiazepines can increase the risk of memory impairment, confusion and falls in seniors. They may also worsen some cases of depression and carry a risk of addiction; in 2007, the FDA added health risks to the drugs' labeling.