Antidepressant use has skyrocketed among young people in recent years, and that’s drawn the attention of the public health establishment.

SSRI drugs, a type of antidepressant, were originally intended for adults. But in the three decades since Elizabeth Wurtzel’s landmark memoir Prozac Nation hit shelves, prescriptions have become far more common.

One study found that antidepressant prescriptions for young adults and teens increased by nearly 64 percent after the coronavirus pandemic. Teen girls saw the biggest increase, while prescriptions actually dropped for boys.

Some attribute the rise to social media, which has increased awareness around mental health, but has also led young people to diagnose themselves with disorders they might not have.

Antidepressants can be lifesaving for pe

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