I understand a lot of what you are saying. Especially the idea that you don't want to get your parents involved. But I promise you they love you and want to help you.

You need to see a doctor, you need to reach out for help. If you don't want to share what's inside with your parents then I would suggest telling them "I don't want to discuss the details, but I need an appointment with psychiatrist." I went through a spell recently where I finally decided I didn't want to feel like this anymore and so I got on medication immediately. My family doctor prescribed it so I could be on something until I get my appointment with the psychiatrist. So I might really suggest starting with your family doctor. In fact, that's one way to avoid talking to your parents. If you have insurance or are still on theirs, you can go to the doctor and not tell your parents what for.

Some of my biggest advice is to be 100% open and honest with all of your doctors. That's the only way they can truly help you.

I think you need to speak to someone to. A psychologist or other therapist. Again, you could tell your parents you need this, but you don't feel comfortable talking about why right now. Be honest with them too, and that would be an honest approach.

I did the same thing with my mom. I'm a little older than you, but I needed some financial help getting to the psychologist, and that's what I told her. "I don't want to talk about why, but I need to be in therapy." She accepted that.

As far as them having their own problems, they are adults and have been through a lot already. I promise the last thing in the world they would want would for you to continue to be in pain. I felt the same way about my brother and his wife, that they have two kids and the mother in law has mental health issues also and they have enough to deal with already. But when I finally reached out to them for help they responded in a positive way. They basically said none of that matters that they would be there for me.

I really hope you can find it in you to talk to your parents. And I really hope you can get the help you want. I'm new here, but if you want to talk about it more just PM me.

Best of luck.