Coming back to Islam but feeling like a hypocrite about my faith

Assalamu alaikum. Around 19, my belief in Allah and religion started fading. I wasn't exactly regular with salah, but I'd pray sometimes with friends if we passed a masjid. A while back, I hit a really low point mentally. Even as an agnostic-open to religion but unconvinced-I called on Allah in my darkest moment. Since then, alhamdulillah, I've improved, but work keeps testing my patience and sanity. I feel so fake for turning to Allah when I don't even pray, yet I keep asking for help. It's like deep down I'm still uncertain, but I reach out anyway. I spoke to a friend, who said my heart had become darkened. He also claimed that believers don’t face these struggles as much, which I totally disagreed with-mental health doesn't spare anyone, Muslim or not. Even when I think of making wudu and praying, it feels empty, like I'm only doing it "just in case" Allah exists, not from genuine iman. I just feel lost and like a fraud.