I haven't worked for 18 months . . . by choice . . . because of PTSD. I look at it as a time of healing.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Will this period of inactivity be like a black mark on my life that I will forever regret?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">
Only you can decide how you will view your unemployed days. Healing is a process; it doesn't happen overnight. You can't change the past, so why dwell on those 2 years of unemployment? If you want to try getting back into the workforce, consider volunteer work a few hours a week. As for other peoples' opinions about your employment status, it's none of their business. If you look into your State's Vocational Rehabiliation program, you should find help on how to deal with potential employers' attitudes.