Americans Are 150% Crazier Than They Used to Be, According to Psych Med Sales Numbers

Check this scary statistic: "Spending on prescription drugs to treat depression, anxiety, pain, schizophrenia and other conditions climbed from $7.9 billion in 1997 to $20 billion in 2004 – over a 150 percent increase, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality."

Let's assume the numbers are true. Does this mean that people in the US became crazier and more pained during those years? Or did the level of mental illness remain constant while percentage of those being treated went up?

Or was it simply that a whole bunch of people are now taking crazy meds who, perhaps, shouldn't be?

Comments

[John Mack]

It's all relative Jim. While drug sales in this category increased 150% from 1997 through 2006, drug sales overall (in ALL categories) increased even faster, by 238% (from $81.2B in 1997 to $274B in 2006).

Using your logic, therefore, Americans are becoming LESS crazy and painful! relatively speaking, that is.

[Scott Hensley]

Jim,
Am I crazy or did you I see that you just got a Knight-Bagehot fellowship? Congrats.
Will you blog from the ivory tower?
Best,
Scott

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