Psychotropic Medication Use and Psychiatric Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Danish Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, young people have experienced a worsening of their mental well-being.^1,2 This might be accompanied by an increasing use of psychotropic medications,³ particularly among youths.^4-6 However, results are conflicting regarding use of psychotropic medications, and it is unclear whether the rise in overall mental health problems is associated with a subsequent rise in clinical psychiatric disorders. We aimed to examine the rates of psychotropic medication use and psychiatric disorders in Danish children, adolescents, and young adults during the pandemic.