What are SSRIs and how do they work? What teens should know
Important Takeaways
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SSRIs are common antidepressant medications used to treat depression and other mental health conditions, such as anxiety.
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SSRIs can have side effects, but they’re mild for most people. Tell a trusted adult right away if you start feeling worse after you start an SSRI or change your dose.
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SSRIs aren’t addictive. How long you take them is a decision you make with your provider.
By Lauren Krouse
If you’re considering SSRIs, which is short for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, it helps to understand what they are and how they work so you can make informed decisions. Here are answers to the most-searched questions about SSRI medications.
What is an SSRI?
SSRIs are antidepressant medications that can be used to treat depression. Providers may also prescribe an SSRI for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and several other mental health conditions.
There are many types of SSRIs. Some commonly prescribed SSRIs include:
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
How do SSRIs work?
SSRI drugs increase the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate mood, sleep, and digestion. Keeping more serotonin active in your brain for longer can help it form new connections over time, helping to regulate your emotions and ease depression and anxiety in the long term.
SSRIs take time to build up in your body and to affect the serotonin levels in your brain. You have to take them every day to see the effects.
How do SSRIs make you feel?
Some people feel a little “off” as their bodies adjust to SSRIs. That may include having a headache or dry mouth, feeling jittery, experiencing sleep changes, or having some nausea or stomach discomfort. Those side effects often resolve during the first couple of weeks. Let your provider know if they don’t.
When SSRIs work well, you’ll begin to feel less depressed or anxious within 4-8 weeks. Many people describe the change as a weight being lifted, a calming effect, or having more space in their brains for thoughts not related to their depression or anxiety.
If an SSRI makes you feel worse, talk to your provider right away — you have other options. It’s not uncommon to try a couple of medications before you find the one that works best for you.
What are SSRI side effects?
Common early side effects include:
- Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea or diarrhea
- Feelings of activation or restlessness
- Sleep changes (insomnia or fatigue)
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Feeling sleepier with alcohol
Common longer-term side effects include:
- Sexual side effects, such as having less interest in sex or a harder time having an orgasm
- Mild weight gain
If side effects concern you, talk with your provider about it. Changing your dose or trying something else can help.
Are SSRIs safe for teens?
SSRIs are generally safe and effective for teens when taken with the close support of your health-care provider.
All antidepressants, including SSRIs, carry what’s called a black box warning. The warning is an alert that in some cases, people under 25 may have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors when starting antidepressants or changing doses. The warning is meant to ensure that pediatricians and other providers pay close attention when a young person starts an antidepressant — not to discourage them from prescribing them.
It’s important to tell your provider or an adult you trust right away if you start to feel worse or have thoughts of suicide. Keep in mind: Untreated depression carries serious risks of its own — including suicide — and antidepressants can help lower that risk over time.
Are SSRIs addictive?
SSRIs are not addictive, and how long you take one depends on many factors. Some people may need to (or choose to) stay on them long-term. Others take them short-term if, for example, they find that therapy and new coping skills get them to a point where they no longer need medication.
Reach out to your health-care provider if you’re interested in stopping your antidepressant. Many people are able to stop SSRIs without many withdrawal effects, but others may experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or nervousness. Your provider may suggest that you decrease your antidepressant over time (called tapering).
SSRIs and therapy
SSRIs can help boost your mood and decrease anxiety, allowing you to make better use of therapy. Medication is just one approach to treatment, and it may not be the right choice for everyone. Research suggests that antidepressants work best when combined with therapy. Self-care, healthy lifestyle changes, and support from friends and family also play an important role in healing.
If you are feeling depressed or anxious or like something just isn’t right, talk to a trusted adult or mental health provider who can walk you through your options. Your mental health is worth it, and help is available.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs support right now, text, call, or chat 988, or text HOME (or HOLA) to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
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