Final answer:
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are primarily used to treat major depression by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. They are effective in alleviating depressive symptoms and are not the standard treatment for seizures, schizophrenia, or migraine headaches.
Step-by-step explanation:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors:
The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly used to treat major depression. These medications work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, one of the neurotransmitters in the brain, into the presynaptic neuron. As a result, serotonin levels increase in the synaptic cleft which is believed to contribute to alleviating depressive symptoms. Major depression is characterized by a severely depressed mood lasting longer than two weeks among other symptoms and is one of the most common mental disorders. Common SSRIs on the market include Prozac (fluoxetine) Paxil (paroxetine), and Zoloft (sertraline).
Other treatments for depression beyond medications can include psychotherapy, electroconvulsive therapy, deep-brain stimulation and other prescription medications like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors), but SSRIs are particularly noted for their effectiveness in increasing serotonin levels to address depressive symptoms. While SSRIs can also be useful in treating conditions like anxiety and eating disorders, their primary indication is for major depression, and they are not typically used to treat seizures schizophrenia, or migraine headaches.