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SSRIs are mostly used for treatment of depression, but individual members of the group have other, specialized uses such as anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, and social phobia.
- Studies suggest that SSRIs are ideal for those people with minor depressive illness.
- SSRIs are sometimes used to treat anxity-panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder.
- Some are used to treat eating disorders and chronic pain.
- SSRIs are particularly helpful in heading off depression in the early stages, before it becomes deeply rooted.
- SSRIs are effective fore major depression, too.
Cautions:
- SSRIs are not recommended in the treatment of patients with mania, or in those with a history of seizures.
- The doctor will be cautious about using them in someone with epilepsy.
- The FDA has not approved the use of SSRIs to treat those less than 18 years of age, except for fluoxetine (Prozac).
- Not used for those recieving Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT).
- As always, caution should be used in pregnant or breast-feeding mothers.
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