u/Confident-Art-1396

Hi everyone,
I’m 21 years old, originally from Kerala, currently living in the UAE. I’ve been struggling mentally for a long time and I don’t really have anyone I can talk to openly.
I live in a very crowded household with my family (around 8 people in a small space). There is constant noise, no privacy, and I mostly go to the library just to escape the environment at home.
My childhood was strict and emotionally difficult. I was not allowed to go outside much, had fear-based parenting, and there was frequent conflict at home. Because of this, I feel I never really learned how to socialize properly or build confidence.
Right now I’m struggling with:
constant overthinking
emotional numbness and emptiness
feeling mentally exhausted all the time
low energy and sleep issues
difficulty saying no to people
feeling easily influenced and pressured
feeling alone even though I’m around people
I also feel stuck in life academically (ACCA + B.Com) and financially. I want to improve my life, become disciplined, and build a future, but I feel mentally blocked most of the time.
Sometimes I feel very overwhelmed and don’t know how to handle my thoughts. I don’t have friends I can talk to properly, and I feel like I’m carrying everything alone.
I’m looking for:
guidance from people who went through similar situations
suggestions for free/affordable therapy or counseling (UAE or online)
any practical advice on how to get out of this mental loop
I don’t want attention or sympathy—I genuinely want to improve my life and mental state.
If anyone knows free or low-cost psychologists/psychiatrist services (especially for someone in UAE), please let me know.
Thank you for reading.