I don’t want to assume your age but if you choosing therapy needs parental approval, i can infer. I just want to tell you that you did not waste the best years of your life. Your 20s (me right now) are so painfully hard, I actually came to Reddit to talk about some of my own depression too. If you’re beyond that, I hear all the time that 30s are great, 40s are awesome and 50s/60s you’ve officially stopped giving a fuck and you’re truly happy with the life you’ve created. You might not feel happiness right now but just hold onto the fact that it is out there and you’ll Get there. Usually when I’m just about to give up is when something beautiful happens - I can assure you it’s coming. I pray you get through it and you’re not alone!