Trying to see how much having hybrid/WFH flexibility may or may not improve someone’s lifestyle in big law.
Particularly looking for opinions from regulatory or corporate/transactional lawyers.
Traumatic memories (CSA) came back last month in the form of flashbacks.
I just want to know what’s ahead and how to feel better.
I was a little obsessive over my mental health before this when other traumatic memories came up, but now I either feel very avoidant or very much want to fix things. All my free time is spent fighting off flashbacks or reading books on healing trauma or shutting down or pacing. Anhedonia/depression doesn’t really help.
I think of my therapist pretty often too. Lately it’s mostly centered on what he thinks of me and if he thinks he can help me. He’s an incredible therapist, super smart, really good at reading me, and has helped me a lot. But I get scared of him whenever there’s ambiguity or unpredictability. I know he has to know this too.
I definitely feel more sad than before these memories resurfaced. And somehow a little more grounded.
I don’t know what to do, but I don’t think I can pretend I can brute force this anymore.
Long story short, I (24f) had CSA memories from when I was 3-5 come back in March through the form of flashbacks. They are distressing. I get visual flashes, body-based somatic sensations, intense panic/fear/unease/anxiety, and sometimes disorienting/dissociative flashbacks. I have even had an auditory one, and an olfactory one.
It’s bad to say the least. They are happening every other day, and I don’t know what to do. The only thing that helps sometimes is opening my eyes and looking around, but I often freeze while it’s happening so that’s all I can do. I also get into this shutdown state after. It’s really affecting me and my sleep is shot.
I think it’s happening because I’ve become avoidant to thinking about this trauma in particular. My therapist has recommended journaling everything I learn/remember so that I can have a sort of vault of evidence to return to when I am ready to address this in therapy. I think that might be helpful.
But what else can I do? It’s really interfering with my functioning, bringing my mood really low, and making me passively suicidal. Is there anything that has helped you get through this? I am considering medication for anxiety/depression symptoms. Is there anything that helps with flashbacks?
24f, so maybe I am getting to this a bit late (I say that because I see so many 20 y/o and even teens investing..good on them!), but just wanted to say out loud somewhere that I finally opened a Roth IRA for first time for 2025, and invested the max contribution in VOO. Vanguard makes the process super easy, can’t even believe it.
Wish I would’ve done this a couple years ago when I paid off my law school loans/realized I had enough money to pay the rest of my tuition out of pocket… my family doesn’t know a lot about investing in stocks, so this still feels like a win/step toward my future. Planning to make my 2026 contribution & invest more as soon as I get my tax refund :)
& once I start working full time later this year post grad, I will be investing in a 401k, HSA, & regular brokerage account too. Not enough capital to do that yet, but excited for when I do have enough!
Looking to set up a HYSA for an emergency fund soon too. Any recs would be much appreciated. Sorry for my newness to all of this!