Antidepressant use among U.S. adults has increased over the past decade

Antidepressant use has increased among U.S. adults in recent years, according to new CDC data. In 2018, nearly 14% of those aged 18 and over reported antidepressant use in the month prior to being surveyed, compared to around 11% who said the same in 2009. Between 2015-2018, the proportion of women who said they took an antidepressant was more than twice the percentage of men who said they took these medicines. White individuals were likeliest to report antidepressant use, while Asian people were least likely. Antidepressant use also increased with age, as well as with education level.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (Español: 1-888-628-9454; deaf and hard of hearing: 1-800-799-4889) or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.