I've stopped anti depressants. I live in france. No degree, no job experience. Got programming skills. Got many interviews, not one hire. I see a psychiatrist every month. I managed to get help from government funded job programs to get a degree, it was a 8 month procedure, I'll get an answer the incoming month, but I'm not very optimistic. I'm in the most unemployment plagued region/city.
I do feel like I'm a miserable individual, but in my country I don't sense there is an honest economic opportunity. My parents gave up trying to help me and cheer me up. They're now both broke.
> It sounds to me like you're making excuses for giving up and sitting on the couch because you're introverted and have had some bad relationship or social encounters.
It's not just "bad social encounters" why do you just assume you know what my life was? I got hit by my mother in law when my father was not there, while I was getting bullied at school. This lasted for more than 6 years, and I grew up knowing this woman for 20 years.
Maybe people with depression or social phobia also make up excuse, is that what you think ? Why are people always assuming unemployed people can't have mental illnesses or crappy personality without being told they're making excuses ? Do you really think I made excuse my whole life ?
If there was a real exit to my life, some opportunity to pick up garbage, I would do it, but france is entirely anti liberal, it's nearly soviet minded here.
Everyone other than lifelong hermits has experienced social or romantic rejection. There are plenty of introverts who are successful in capitalistic societies.
You don't say where you live but I assume it's in the USA or some other western capitalistic country. Get out of the house, get some therapy if necessary, but don't give up. There are too many oppoortunities at your fingertips even if you're not a type "A" extrovert.