Hello Strive4Health: Statistically, I believe, the longer a person is out of work the less likely it is they'll ever go back. I used to work in the worker's compensation system & this is part of the reason workers comp insurers always want to get injured workers back to work as soon as possible.

I presume you've considered part-time work, along with going to school. This might be a good compromise since you're pretty good financially. The other alternative might be to do some volunteer work while you're in school. It could help to make you feel better about yourself. Plus it would look good on your resume once you are ready to return to full time employment.

Granted there are likely to be hassles of one sort or another whatever you do. But the important thing is to get going one way or another so that you don't continue to feel like a "lazy bum". That kind of feeling can grow to the point where it can become a real problem. I wish you well...