Hi MOC,
I'm sorry to hear about your son. But I admire you for getting so involved in his treatment and trying different avenues.
Anti Depressants such as SSRI's quite commonly lead to this brain fog that you have mentioned, trouble concentrating, generally flat affect. These side effects can change depending on the medication and the individual. Many people have to experiment for a long time before finding a medication that works for them. It would be best to consult with your GP or a psychiatrist about these issues.
The problem with anti depressants is that although they make the issue less noticeable, the issue remains. While they are a useful tool in levelling out the low points, they will also make it hard to feel the highs and joys in life, the kind of emotions that are a buffer against depression. They can result in a kind of flat, detached state where the individual doesn't just avoid sadness, but struggles to feel anything at all.
It is likely that your son's depression is psychological or cognitive issue rather than an imbalance in hormones, as such the best course of action from my point of view would be to continue working with your psychologist to target problematic thought patterns, dig down to the root of the problem and develop resilience, so that eventually in the future, your son will be able to cope and flourish without the need for medication. I personally wouldn't encourage a long term reliance on anti-depressants in any but the most extreme cases. However it sounds like you already know this and have taken steps towards a diverse treatment plan for your son, which is exactly what you should be doing.
Best wishes,
Sawyer
