US EditionStudy Reveals Rising Psychosis Rates Among Younger Generations
A 60% rise in psychosis diagnoses among 14–20 year olds between 1997 and 2023 highlights increasing rates in younger generations, with substance use a leading possible factor, researchers say.
- On Monday, researchers in Ontario published a Canadian Medical Association Journal study analyzing over 12 million residents born 1960–2009, identifying more than 152,000 psychotic disorder diagnoses.
- Analysis by birth cohort shows people born 2000–2004 had a roughly 70% greater rate of new diagnoses than those born 1975–1979, among 14 to 20 year‑olds.
- Researchers point to rising substance use, including cannabis, stimulants, hallucinogens, and synthetic drugs, and the early‑2000s expansion of Ontario early psychosis intervention programs partly explaining younger diagnoses, though not fully.
- Health systems may see increased demand as people with psychotic disorders face substantial morbidity, premature death risk, and require extensive health services and social supports, authors say.
- The study acknowledges data limitations for older birth cohorts and urges more research to explain rising rates, noting similar increases in Denmark and Australia.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The Independent
The Independent (US)Psychosis rates increasing in younger generations – and experts don’t know why
Major study of over 12 million Canadians finds psychotic disorders are becoming increasingly common
Study reveals rising psychosis rates among younger generations
People born more recently are being diagnosed with psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia) more often and at younger ages than people born earlier, suggests a large study of more than 12 million people in Ontario, published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.250926.
But not only more often, but also at an increasingly younger age.
Psychosis rates increasing in more recent generations
People born more recently are being diagnosed with psychotic disorders (e.g., schizophrenia) more often and at younger ages than people born earlier, suggests a large study of more than 12 million people in Ontario, published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) https://www.cmaj.ca/lookup/doi/10.1503/cmaj.250926.
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