What ought one do when the problem is not solved by social skills?

You look at:

• "I seem to have a tendency to feel extremely inadequate"
• " I begin to... worry, and that feeling of helplessness starts showing up."

The "social skills" referred to when considering mating potential are somewhat specific and include particular emphasis on displaying confidence, particularly sexual confidence. Google "dating inner game" and you'll have an overabundance of resources explaining what signals you need to send and giving tips on how to change yourself so that you are the kind of person who sends those signals more.