Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to treat which condition?

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a class of medications primarily used to treat various mental health conditions, most notably depression and anxiety disorders. Among these disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is particularly well-treated with SSRIs. These medications work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, a neurotransmitter that is often imbalanced in individuals with OCD, leading to a reduction in the obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors characteristic of the disorder.

While SSRIs can also have some effects on other mental health conditions, OCD specifically responds well to this treatment. In contrast, conditions like heart disease, schizophrenia, or chronic pain do not typically rely on SSRIs as a first-line treatment. Instead, heart disease may require medications that manage cardiovascular health, schizophrenia often necessitates antipsychotic medications, and chronic pain might be treated with analgesics or other specific pain management therapies. Therefore, the application of SSRIs is particularly significant in the context of obsessive-compulsive disorder.