Struggling with lifelong family trauma, severe anxiety, and no career. How do I start rebuilding my life from scratch?
Hi everyone,
I’m reaching out because I feel completely stuck, overwhelmed, and exhausted. I’ve been living in a highly complex and toxic situation since childhood, and I don't know how to break the cycle.
To give some background:
Family Trauma: My uncle financially cheated my father, forcing him to work for him and then abandoning him with nothing. My father never fought back due to toxic family conditioning about "respecting elders."
Health Issues: My mother has suffered from multiple severe mental illnesses since I was a child.
Personal Struggles: Growing up surrounded by constant cheating, sickness, and financial ruin caused me to develop severe anxiety and panic attacks, which I still deal with daily.
Because of this environment, I wasn't able to focus on my education, which led to me being under-educated. Consequently, I haven't been able to secure a job or build a career. The anxiety has also made it incredibly difficult for me to connect or get along with people, leaving me isolated.
I am tired of living like this, but my mind is so foggy that I can't even understand where to begin.
My questions for the community:
How can I start managing severe anxiety/panic attacks when I can't afford expensive therapy right now?
What are some realistic entry-level jobs or skills I can pursue as someone who is under-educated but desperate to earn and become independent?
If you rebuilt your life from absolute zero after childhood trauma, what was your very first step?
Thank you so much for reading. I just need help getting started.