'I'll end up having a stroke': US techie with seven years of experience wants to return to India due to 'toxic' environment

The American Dream was a concept created by James Truslow Adams in his 1931 book 'The Epic of America.' It defined the kind of life America promised to the rest of the world, where life would be better, richer and fuller for everyone, offering opportunity based on ability and achievement rather than social class or birth.

However, ever since the onset of the second Trump administration, things have turned for the worse for Indian-Americans in the United States. From online criticism to physical attacks, the community has tackled it all while trying to keep their heads down and keep their jobs.

Now, a 36-year-old man's post on Reddit has shed some much-needed light on how life truly is for migrants in the country. The man revealed he had been living in the US for the past eight years and was considering resigning from his current job and returning to India after being unable to handle the stress and depression.

The shattered American dream

The 36-year-old techie with seven years of experience in the country said he was tackling health issues while living in a toxic environment. "While things were going well initially, everything changed since last year. Toxic management, extreme stress and pressure due to AI push, office politics, etc., anyway, in total I have about 7 YoE now (5+ here in US)," the user wrote in a Reddit post.

He admitted never having a proper structure in life and confessed that he could no longer manage the stress on his own. "Through schooling, bachelor's, India work experience, and then here in the US, at this point, I just don't have the strength to be alone anymore while constantly fighting the stress at work," he wrote.

He said things have become so bad that he goes to movie theatres every weekend just to be around people and has been taking high BP medications and antidepressants since 2025. "Every morning when starting the day I feel like I’ll end up having a stroke. I've also started disliking tech with each day now," he added.

Moreover, he asked the internet's help in planning the right future ahead, adding that he was willing to take up a low-paying job in India with a better work-life balance. "I'm happy to take up any low-paying job too in India, with a better work-life balance. I am feeling completely lost, helpless and nowhere to go. Please share your thoughts and opinions," he asked.

Return to India...

As the post went viral, numerous social media users advised the techie to return home and take care of their mental health.

"Returning is not a bad idea at all. Since you mentioned you are taking high BP medications, just curious do you do any exercise? I personally have benefitted a lot from exercising- it helped me feel better. Also please try to find a job with better work life balance. If you are willing to accept lower pay, that is usually not too difficult," wrote one user.

"Whether you return to India or not, do consider taking job with less stress, even with low pay. You have worked enough, it is time for you to take it easy and focus on yourself, you need a job that can support that. Parents also need support, and in supporting them you can rediscover your childhood. Our parents have not much time to spend with us :)" added another.

Since 2025, the Trump administration has hiked the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 along with promoting anti-Indian sentiment in the country enough to let natives target immigrants online and in-person. Moreover, the US President recently called India a "hell-hole" while talking about countries that send their citizens to the US.