Americans have a habit for taking pills when the have problems. One of the most common medications are those for psychological issues, such as anti-anxiety or anti-depression. In a trend showing the psychological effects of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Marketwatch reports that there has been a 34% increase in the consumption of anti-anxiety medication since the virus pandemic started.
The coronavirus is taking a toll on mental health.
The number of prescriptions for antidepressant, anti-anxiety and anti-insomnia medications filled per week increased 21% between Feb. 16 and March 15, 2020, according to a new report by Express Scripts, a Cigna-owned CI, -0.62% pharmacy benefit manager. The study analyzed prescription claims filled between Jan. 19 and March 15 of this year among a sample of more than 31.5 million commercially-insured individuals, and found that claims peaked during the week ending March 15, when the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.
Anti-anxiety drugs saw the biggest spike, jumping 34.1%, which was more than double the number of insomnia aids (14.8%), and almost twice as high as antidepressants (18.6%). (source)