Thanks for pinging me. Here’s my update:
I continue to wrestle with my mental health. That said, I’ve made a lot of progress too. I manage it much better, although I have rough days/nights every couple weeks (tonight being one such night).
I don’t know if I’ll ever untangle the role that finasteride played in my struggle. It certainly caused some acute problems, but the lack of lingering sexual side effects makes me believe the drug itself is no longer a factor. I have struggled with anxiety for years, and I think the sudden shock of “did I just ruin my life by taking a tiny pill for three weeks?” inflicted a psychological blow that I’m still recovering from.
As far as my overall life goes, I have lived with family during COVID, although I’m now back in my state of residence to prepare for my master’s thesis defense. After that, I’m starting a PhD program on the East coast. I am trying out new hobbies: I am going to a bouldering gym, and I am learning how to use a telescope that I was given by a friend. So far, I’ve been able to get pretty good views of the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn.
For anyone else in a situation similar to mine, I want you to know that you can make it. Please let me know if you need someone to talk to. My biggest piece of early advice is to not assume that your life is ruined. Just take it one day at a time, and keep an open mind to the possibility of a swift recovery.