Dear Dr. Dora,
Since I moved a couple of months ago, my heart feels heavy and even hurts. My stomach gets upset, and my hands shake. My doctor says that there’s nothing physically wrong with me. It’s just anxiety.
We moved because of my husband’s new job,. I have left my friends, and a job I loved. I haven’t found a new job yet, so I’m home a lot. I miss the look of the mountains, the trees, and the sky, of where I used to live. Actually, whenever I visit my old neighborhood, I feel just fine. The symptoms all go away.
My doctor has recommended that I take Prozac.
Should I?
Homesick and Debating Prozac
Dear Homesick,
Should you take Prozac for—homesickness? Or an antidepressant to get through tough times?
First of all, my heart to you, for what you’re going through. But it sounds like you were able to make a good life in the past. I am optimistic that you will, again.
Whenever emotions cause physical symptoms that have lasted several weeks, the help of modern medications should be considered. Medications are a major benefit of living in our age, today. So whatever, we want to call it—anxiety, depression, homesickness (labels come and go)—please take your doctor’s suggestion seriously.
It sounds like you are in grief about a neighborhood that has given you so much. You have made the decision to leave this neighborhood, for necessary reasons. A neighborhood that has given you so much deserves your love and grief. That time of your life will always remain a beautiful episode. You will have others. Think of your life in six months, in a year, two years. Try to see the future. Know that life won’t always be as hard, as when you are in transition.
Warmly,
Dr. Dora