Psychosis Rates Climbing in Younger Generations, Leaving Experts Searching for Answers
A comprehensive study involving more than 12 million Canadians has revealed a troubling increase in psychotic disorders among younger generations, with researchers expressing uncertainty about the underlying causes driving this significant mental health trend.
Major Research Uncovers Disturbing Patterns
The extensive research, conducted by a team of Canadian investigators, examined data from 12.2 million individuals born in Ontario between 1960 and 2009. Among this substantial population, researchers identified 152,587 people who had received diagnoses of psychotic disorders, including conditions such as schizophrenia.
Dr Daniel Myran, co-author of the study from North York General Hospital, emphasised the serious implications of these findings. "Individuals with psychotic disorders face substantial morbidity and risk of premature death, and often require substantial health services and social support," he explained. "The surge in cases raises important questions about possible causes and consequences."
Alarming Statistical Increases Revealed
The research uncovered particularly concerning patterns among younger age groups. Among people aged 14 to 20 years, rates of new psychosis cases increased by a remarkable 60 per cent between 1997 and 2023. The study team noted that these increases in psychotic disorders have occurred predominantly in more recent birth cohorts, with rates beginning to climb for those born in the 1980s and later generations.
Comparative analysis revealed stark generational differences. People born between 2000 and 2004 were estimated to have a 70 per cent greater rate of new psychotic disorder diagnoses compared with those born between 1975 and 1979. Overall, the total number of people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder by age 30 rose by 37.5 per cent for those born between 1990 and 1994 compared with the earlier cohort born between 1975 and 1979.
Potential Contributing Factors Under Investigation
While researchers acknowledge they lack clear evidence for what specifically drives these increases, the study team suggested several potential contributing factors that warrant further investigation:
- Older parental age at childbirth
- Increased socioeconomic pressures
- Migration-related stress factors
- Negative childhood experiences among younger generations
- Substance use patterns
Dr Myran elaborated on the substance use connection, noting: "One leading possibility is substance use – from cannabis and stimulants to hallucinogens and synthetic drugs. Using these substances, particularly early in life, is linked to the onset and worsening of psychotic disorders, and substance use in Canada has climbed over the past two decades."
International Context and Research Gaps
While broader research on generational shifts in psychotic disorders remains limited, the Canadian team highlighted recent studies from Denmark and Australia that have similarly reported rising rates of schizophrenia among younger populations. These parallel findings add weight to concerns that these troubling patterns are emerging across multiple countries rather than representing isolated national phenomena.
The authors stress that more comprehensive research is urgently needed to uncover what specifically drives the rise in psychosis diagnoses and why the risks appear to differ so significantly between generations. "We still don't know what's driving these changes, and it's unlikely there's a single cause," Dr Myran acknowledged. "Understanding the forces behind this trend will be crucial for prevention and early intervention."
The research findings have been published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, contributing important data to the ongoing global conversation about youth mental health challenges and the specific concerns surrounding psychotic disorders in contemporary society.
