You are special and you are amazing.
Thanks for sharing your story. I was in a similar situation to yours, but not that serious.
It happened slowly, I didn't noticed it at the time. I've stopped listening to myself, the others' needs and wants got the priority, the daily grind,... I was growing unhappier by the day. Depression and the futility of it all were killing me inside.
I did reclaim myself, but unlike you, who came out of it as a better human being, I became cynical and skeptical. C'est la vie.
Give yourself some credit, why do you think you did not come out of it as a better human being? And what's wrong with being cynical? Some of my favourite people are cynics. :D
All that matters is that you are happy, and you are, aren't you? The scepticism I do object but with a little practice it can grow up to be a happy and a positive attitude. I am happy for you and glad that you came back from the other side. Cookies on this side are better anyway... :)
Oh, I do give myself all the credit I can give :-)
These days I'm content. I do my own thing, I look forward to each new day, ... It's just that, from time to time, I miss that naive boy and his blind trust in people.