Particle.news

Jonathan Hilbert Returns to Training After Severe Depressive Episode

A switch in antidepressant after he restarted therapy helped restore his drive and led him to plan a staged comeback next year.

Overview

  • Hilbert stepped away from elite sport in mid‑May after publicly reporting a recurrence of depression and telling followers he needed time to recover.
  • Clinicians assessed the episode as severe, he resumed psychotherapy, and a first antidepressant proved ineffective before a change in medication produced clear improvement.
  • He says the new treatment restored motivation and clearer thinking, though he stresses that medication alone is not a cure and that he remains in therapy.
  • Following the improvement he has resumed his studies and structured training, has scheduled a training camp for November, and aims to compete again next year.
  • The 31‑year‑old Tokyo 2021 Olympic silver medallist has set a firm boundary that a repeat of an episode at the same severity will trigger his full withdrawal from elite sport.