Hi,
I'm 26 years old. I gave up college this past summer after 7 years of hell. I work part time for my mother at her office. I cannot work full time, I'm not stable enough even though I'm the best I've been in years.

My mother thought I needed more in my life so 3 months ago I got an amazing puppy and 2 weeks ago my parents helped me buy an apartment.

I'm excited but I still feel left behind compared to all of my friends and other people my age.

Most of my friends have full time jobs in areas they love or at least like or are graduating this year from med, law, or graduate schools.

75% of them have been in long term relationships- 3+ years, and plan to wed, are engaged, or are marred to that person. (My last relationship was 2 years ago, and all of my relationships have been disasters.)

7 of my friends have children. (Which I don't believe I can ever do with all the drugs I am on.)

And 90% of my friends do not need help from their parents or to get low-income housing, and none of them get an allowance. (My mother legally controls my financing to avoid bipolar manic spending).

My family and friends are so proud of how I am doing and how far I have come, and tell me I'm in a good place now considering the bipolar 1, the bpd, the anxiety/panic disorders, and my multiple physical health problems.

Maybe they are right, but I still feel horrible.

I feel that being able to hold down a job, pay your own way, get married, and have kids is what defines adulthood in american society and I am doing none of it.

Does anyone else ever feel like this? Or have you in the past? I just need help from people who could understand.

Thank you, Julie