As more Americans embrace anxiety treatment, RFK Jr. derides medications
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- The use of anxiety medications among American adults increased from 11.7% in 2019 to 14.3% in 2024, with a notable rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven largely by young adults, college-educated individuals, and LGBTQ+ adults.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Lexapro, Prozac, and Zoloft remain front-line treatments for anxiety disorders, despite criticism from some political figures who claim they are addictive or harmful without strong scientific evidence.
- Health experts emphasize that while SSRIs can cause mild side effects, they are generally safe and effective, especially when combined with therapy, and warn that misinformation about their risks—such as during pregnancy—could
