DEAR BEL,

AFTER many years of homelessness and emotional trauma and living at one house, then another, to get by, I was helped by a lovely family willing to accept me.

They helped me get an amazing job, paved a way so I could buy my first car, and (at 19) I’m better off than most of my peers who went to college. But despite all the things I should be happy for, I am sad and depressed. My girlfriend lives a very long drive away, and I have a lot of social issues.

I’ve been concentrating on work, but in the evening there’s an emptiness. Friends have moved away; I’ve no one to hang out with, no person to rant about work to and no girlfriend for all my emotional wants.

It’s affecting our relationship because I switch into this dark mood and nothing can pull me out of it. I’m still living with the family that helped me, but feel like a burden so hole myself up in my room. Or I just don’t come home and fall asleep in my car.

They constantly assure me that I am a part of their family, but my instincts say I don’t belong here. I don’t find enjoyment in my lifelong passion of dance, and don’t know how to make friends because I’ve always been the shy quiet type. Can you give me any advice on trying to fill this darkness in my head?

RORY