So I'm having issues with my select feature overall.

When I'm using the magic wand to select an area it gives me the invert selection of whatever I selected and I can't figure out why.
Another thing is that when I use just the regular select tool (the lasso one) it has a permanent - sign inside of it and instead of simply selected something new I have to completely deselect anything I already had selected or else it won't let me select anything at all and it deletes part of my selection if I'm trying to fix it without me having to press alt because it just consistently has a - sign inside it.

I've tried looking around online but I haven't been able to find anything that is even remotely like what I'm dealing with. Does anyone have any ideas?

What you call the 'magic wand' is the Contiguous Selection tool and what you call the 'lasso tool' is the Freehand Selection tool.
If you look in the Tool Options docker, you'll see five Action: icons. I'd make a reasonable guess that the 'Subtract' icon is highlighted and therefore active.
So, click the 'Replace' icon to get normal selection tool behaviour.