When did you know it was time to move back home? (expat mental health)

Hi everyone,

I moved to Germany recently for a job opportunity. I was excited about it and thought I was ready for the change.

But things escalated much faster than I expected.

The language barrier at work, the stress of relocation, and the feeling of being completely alone in a new country started to pile up very quickly. I don’t have friends or family here and I underestimated how hard that would be.

After a few weeks my mental health deteriorated badly and I ended up being hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic.

Right now I’m on sick leave and trying to recover. The doctors say I need time and stability.

I’m seriously thinking about returning to my home country so I can recover around family and people who know me. But part of me is afraid that leaving means I failed or gave up too soon.

For those of you who moved abroad and later decided to go back home:

• How did you know it was time to leave?
• Did you regret going back?
• Or did returning actually help you recover?

I’d really appreciate hearing honest experiences from people who have been through something similar.