There is no science that tells us that you, or any depressed person, can know that with certitude. How did your therapist know that you "have very low levels of dopamine?"

Desiree, I'm sorry you feel so bad . . . especially since this has been going on for so long. I'm a healthcare professional and a longtime depression sufferer. I know of no lab test that can tell us that a person has "a chemical imbalance of the brain." Also, though we associate low neurotransmitter levels with depression (and some science seems to support that,) we don't know whether low serotonin causes depression, or maybe depression causes low serotonin levels.

Medication believed to affect neurotransmitters may help you. Such a medication did help me. (amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressive helped me.) The SNRI your doctor prescribed may help you. But I ask you to open your mind to the possibility that your problem may not be purely physiological. You may have an approach to life that is not working for you. You may have some beliefs about how life works that are not serving you well.

That you were able to function in a job in the past is a good sign. What happened that led to you not working?

Many people with depression are not restored to normal functioning by psych meds. Talking to your therapist can be a source of support. Your mom seems to be supportive. But you will need to alter your daily behavior. I hope medication makes that less difficult for you. But you will have to alter your daily routine, or you will not get better.

It's very hard work, but start with small daily goals.