I went through at least 10 years of "less then OK" feelings, mixed with some "shit", but over the last year or so things seem to be getting MUCH better for me. I voted "great" even though, I'd say I'm not quite there yet. And that's despite being diagnosed with a chronic illness a year ago. The illness continues to get worse, yet I continue to improve my outlook on life.
Your life is NOT predetermined by genetics. The years from about 13 to 30 are probably the roughest people go through, because they are so up and down. I was amazingly healthy in college, yet I was always depressed because I had no idea what the hell I was going to do for the rest of my life. Pretty much just like Erik. After graduating college it only got worse. I was in a shit job, in a shit town. FINALLY I realized what I wanted to do, but it was a total surprise to me.
Just keep living day by day, and things will work themselves out. Always try to find things that expand your horizons, so to speak, and you will at least be happy with that.
What the hell am I talking about . . .