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39

A mental health

professional can

help you figure out

what is making you

anxious and develop

a plan to address it.

Side effects of SSRIs can include headache, stomachache,

trouble sleeping, skin rashes, and weight gain. Most side

effects do not happen that often. But every once in a while,

SSRIs can cause suicidal thoughts (see sidebar). They can

cause something doctors call “activation.” When someone is

activated, he or she may have trouble sleeping, move around a

lot more than usual, or seem very busy.

Some people have strong reactions to one SSRI but

no reactions to another. So if the first drug your doctor

suggests is unpleasant, you may just need to try a different

one.

It is vital that you tell your doctor about any and

all side effects.

Not all doctors agree that kids with anxiety should take

SSRIs at all. Most doctors believe that

psychotherapy