Self-inquiry and depression, anxiety

Hello. I have just discovered self inquiry a few days ago and am amazed at how much it resonates with me. I am someone who has lived his life in a highly fantastic state, ruled by thoughts and emotions that were constructions from my own ego trying to emulate various artists/ musicians/ writers etc.. I have always been the type of person who would hear The Who and then fantasize about being the band and then using this to facilitate a song that I hoped was as close to the sound of that band as possible. I do this with so many others in various forms, literature, writers, actors, poets. I am like a sponge that never gets enough water. All this being said, the price I have paid for such a carefully constructed imagination I have suffered severe depression, anxiety, ocd, overthinking, substance abuse also as a result.

I am drawn to self inquiry but I want to do something I have never really done and that is learn to be aware. It is my hope that it will help with maelstrom of negative, frightening thoughts and feelings that are constantly holding my head to the ground and really quite frankly draining the life-blood from me. I do not berate myself for how my mind works or hate myself for it. This is simply have I always thoought for 48 years. Well, it is my hope to change my outlook and understand that I truly do not have to be run into the ground by my thoughts and feelings. For those of us who suffer depression and anxiety the "Ground" is never ever far. I look forward to my journey and invite anyone who may have advice or insight to reply.Thanks and love to all