Is America on Too Many Psychiatric Drugs?

The Wall Street Journal's "The Journal" podcast investigates the potential over-prescription of psychiatric drugs in America, focusing on benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Reporters Betsy McKay and Shalini Ramachandran share their findings, which began with an investigation into the long-term effects and severe withdrawal symptoms associated with benzos like Ativan and Xanax, often prescribed for longer durations than medically recommended. They then expanded their investigation to antidepressants, noting a similar pattern of long-term use despite limited research and growing reports of negative side effects and difficult withdrawal experiences. The podcast highlights the lack of informed consent regarding these risks and questions the "pill-first" culture in American healthcare, suggesting a need for more comprehensive approaches to mental health treatment.