Hi Christian! (that's my name too!)

Don't feel bad about still living with your parents. You've been through a lot! I'm 30 and I still live with my parents due to employment issues. I have lived with BP since I was 13 but barely started legitimate treatment at 28 after my cousin told me about a free clinic. You are definitely on the right track in that you are motivated to better yourself and that you are on meds. Just focus on your personal issues first because these are more important than the embarrassment of living with your parents. I know that now. It's hard when life seems to pass you by; when your friends (or in my case old/former friends) are succeeding at life and you (er, me, or other MI people) cannot find a foothold to save your life. But things will get better, provided you stick to your treatment, especially for someone like you, as, you seem to have a pretty good head on your shoulders.

It's really cool that you managed to get your AA! I got kicked out of a university at 19 and bounced around from community college to community college before eventually just giving up. Now I'm in a certificate program, but I regret every day not seeking treatment sooner.

Have no worries buddy. Just focus on recovery and I'm sure your hard-working personality will come to the rescue soon enough. It might take a bit longer than may seem ideal, but you'll get there. Life is tough for our kind. Those who would detract you for still living at home or for not holding down steady employment just don't, won't or refuse to even try to understand because they cannot fathom what is going on in our heads.

I would also (like was mentioned in an earlier post) suggest psychotherapy. Psychiatrists are necessary to maintain meds, but having a good therapist can get you through a lot!

Good luck, Christian! Don't hesitate to come on here or send me a message if you need to talk or vent or whatever. The people here are really nice, classy folk and genuinely care because we've all had (somewhat) similar experiences with this illness.