Across the United States, the use of prescribed psychiatric drugs has surged in recent years, with millions of Americans turning to medication to manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. But a new data-driven study spearheaded by The Texas Law Dog reveals a troubling side to this trend: misuse, dangerous side effects, and a growing wave of lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies.

According to CDC data, the percentage of adults receiving mental health treatment jumped from 19.2% in 2019 to 21.6% in 2021, with the sharpest increase among young adults aged 18–44. Women in this age group were particularly likely to seek treatment. While this rise reflects greater awareness and willingness to seek help, it also means more prescriptions, and more exposure to risk.

The study highlights several categories of drugs most frequently linked to adverse outcomes:

• Stimulants like Adderall and Ritalin, where nearly one in four adults prescribed reported misuse.
• Antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft, which have been tied to a troubling rise in youth suicides.
• Antipsychotics like Risperidone and Clozapine, associated with long-term physical complications including metabolic disorders.
• GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic, increasingly prescribed off-label, with side effects ranging from insomnia to binge eating.

Perhaps …