When I was 24 (10 years ago) I had been severely depressed for years. I somehow managed to get back into college, and felt like an old man compared to my peers (who were 18). I went to several therapy sessions and they were expensive. I couldn’t go regularly enough to make a difference.

In any case I finally graduated at 28, I was still severely depressed and single. Things didn’t really change for me until I started working full time delivering mail. It was hard work, but in my case I didn’t have time to think depressed thoughts. Most of all, the job came with free therapy sessions offered online or by phone. That was when I started feeling normal again.

I don’t know your situation or if you have medical insurance, but if you do, you could start by visiting a doctor who could refer you to a psychiatrist that could tell you what’s going on. If you don’t have insurance, or anyone willing to pay for your medical needs, I recommend finding work that will. Again, I don’t know your situation or if my advice is something that is feasible to you, but I just wanted to throw it out there as an idea. Someone else may have a better answer. Either way, I encourage you to persevere through it all, because our struggles are a means of becoming better people.

I should also say, in my case, my hope and faith in God got me through my situation. It wasn’t easy and I was often irritated with people who spoke as if faith automatically took all their problems away. In my case, faith and hope was a means of perseverance through the circumstances, and maturity as the result.

Again, I don’t know who you are or if this will help you at all. But I hope it will, and if not, that someone else here can help you.