So I’ve been on Zoloft for my ocd and anxiety for about a year now. It tremendously saved my life and made me able to do exposure therapy and function normally. I am definitely happier on it, and the only side effects I have are slightly less deep feelings and sexual desires (and inability to cry). However, I didn’t initially want it to be a forever thing, and I’m just scared to try to go off of it now that it’s improved my life so much. I went from constant panic attacks to studying abroad by myself and loving it. I’m not sure if I should try to get off of it this summer, bc I’m scared of PSSD among other long term issues. I also kinda miss feeling deeply, but not the other stuff — I could never go back to that ocd/depression hole. Idk. Advice?
u/Commercial_Word4701
Hey all. I recently just finished my semester abroad in Florence as a sophomore. I currently attend UAlbany and HATE it, but LOVEDDDD Florence. Like, changed my life from wanting to not live to being hungry & excited for life & travel. But, idk if this means I need to leave the US, except I miss being close to my sister (but don’t necessarily miss home). I have OCD so making this decision is hard, so any advice is helpful. I understand I could have good/bad experiences with any options but if anyone has experiences or advice, pls help?
Ultimate/overall goal: MSW for social work
Budget: <30k per year
Mental health: benefits from strong community, nature, city, and warm weather (originally from NY)
Option 1: Move to NYC & switch major to BSW
Pros - finish MSW faster, close to sister, love city life (from florence experience), can get instate at CUNYS, party life, friends close, everyone says NYC is litty, DC train ride away, etc
CONS - Lack of real campus, might be too overwhelming, expensive, lack of traditional college experience, MAJOR seasonal depressive issues
Option 2: Move to NYC & finish last year of english major
Pros - Only have to stay for a year if i hate it (I can try it out), close to sister, love city life (from florence) can get instate at CUNYS, party life, friends close, everyone says NYC is litty, DC train ride away, etc
CONS - Lack of real campus, might be too overwhelming, expensive, lack of traditional college experience, cant start BSW, not 100% sure if I can finish in one year if i transfer, MAJOR seasonal depressive issues
Option 3: Transfer to Boston for BSW
Pros - LOVEDDDDDD boston when I visited, relatively close to home, all young people, walkable city without overwhelm
Cons - Cost, worse seasonal depression, people say its boring after a while
Option 4: Go back to Albany & finish English degree
Pros - I know UAlbany, friends already there, cheapest probably, probably can finish within a year, could even study abroad one more time in Australia if i really wanted which could be super cool bc the beach & warmth & gym is my fav
Cons - I hate ualbany & albany
Option 5: Transfer to an OOS south/west to finish my BSW
Pros: MUCH happier in warm weather, probably could get more of a traditional “campus” college experience, could join a sorority, could have more relaxed nervous system, always wanted to move out of NY, dont have to “wait” to live feeling
Cons: COST (can spend 30k a year max total), would be transferring as JR so might be hard to make friends, far from sister, far from pre existing friends
Hey all. I recently just finished my semester abroad in Florence as a sophomore. I currently attend UAlbany and HATE it, but LOVEDDDD Florence. Like, changed my life from wanting to not live to being hungry & excited for life & travel. But, idk if this means I need to leave the US, except I miss being close to my sister (but don’t necessarily miss home). I have OCD so making this decision is hard, so any advice is helpful. I understand I could have good/bad experiences with any options but if anyone has experiences or advice, pls help?
Ultimate/overall goal: MSW for social work
Budget: <30k per year
Mental health: benefits from strong community, nature, city, and warm weather (originally from NY)
Option 1: Move to NYC & switch major to BSW
Pros - finish MSW faster, close to sister, love city life (from florence experience), can get instate at CUNYS, party life, friends close, everyone says NYC is litty, DC train ride away, etc
CONS - Lack of real campus, might be too overwhelming, expensive, lack of traditional college experience, MAJOR seasonal depressive issues
Option 2: Move to NYC & finish last year of english major
Pros - Only have to stay for a year if i hate it (I can try it out), close to sister, love city life (from florence) can get instate at CUNYS, party life, friends close, everyone says NYC is litty, DC train ride away, etc
CONS - Lack of real campus, might be too overwhelming, expensive, lack of traditional college experience, cant start BSW, not 100% sure if I can finish in one year if i transfer, MAJOR seasonal depressive issues
Option 3: Transfer to Boston for BSW
Pros - LOVEDDDDDD boston when I visited, relatively close to home, all young people, walkable city without overwhelm
Cons - Cost, worse seasonal depression, people say its boring after a while
Option 4: Go back to Albany & finish English degree
Pros - I know UAlbany, friends already there, cheapest probably, probably can finish within a year, could even study abroad one more time in Australia if i really wanted which could be super cool bc the beach & warmth & gym is my fav
Cons - I hate ualbany & albany
Option 5: Transfer to an OOS south/west to finish my BSW
Pros: MUCH happier in warm weather, probably could get more of a traditional “campus” college experience, could join a sorority, could have more relaxed nervous system, always wanted to move out of NY, dont have to “wait” to live feeling
Cons: COST (can spend 30k a year max total), would be transferring as JR so might be hard to make friends, far from sister, far from pre existing friends