It's possible to be mentally balanced and even happy without being in the top of the income/status ladder. There are inmates who are in prison for murder and st

It's possible to be mentally balanced and even happy without being in the top of the income/status ladder. There are inmates who are in prison for murder and still feel better about themselves than you ... so what you're going through is more a process created in your mind than your objective circumstances. So a major pain point for you as I see it is that you have extremely low self esteem. Despite failing school you might have a lot to offer as a son, as a friend and as a human. You are not the economic value you produce. I would probably start there - the mental balance and self esteem, before worrying that much about career/status improvements. When the mental balance and self esteem improves good things can happen - finding a partner , starting a family etc, or if that's not your thing that's fine as well. Some more things besides conventional therapy come to my mind: 1. Exercise. All research confirm it just works. Pick up the thing you hate least. 2. Stoicism (OK I'm a sucker for stoicism so had to throw it in there). But seriously, all people should be encouraged to find whatever spiritual framework works for them. For me its stoicism - what is it for you? Explore things. Find out if there's anything that works for you, there has to be. 3. Consider cooling things off for a while with friends that make you feel bad about yourself. That's probably controversial, a lot of people will tell you that you are the problem not them (which might be true), but I think as you are going through a build up / healing process anything that drags you down needs to be reduced. P.S - you failed at some pretty difficult things most people wouldn't even try their hand in. Hope this helps!