I was on SSDI from the age of 20 and only got off of it a couple years ago. I had developed very severe social phobia and depression and became increasingly anti social and isolated. I am nearly 28 years old. I regret ever turning to the the government for aid. I don't think it is bad that they have such programs but I still feel tremendous guilt for not making my own way all those years. I was on Methadone for opiate abuse and living at home when I was accepted for SSDI so it started covering my rehabilitation, saving my family a great deal of money for sure. And when the treatments failed and I began to self medicate, the government paid for my drugs. I still have fairly severe anxiety and depression so each day is a battle. But to this day I feel tremendous guilt over my past actions. I did a lot of really shitty things to people and I try to reframe them but I feel like those few years define me. this is my Identity. I think I am a romantic by nature which leads me to constantly try and reframe my history. But it's just ugly. Has anyone dealt with guilt and shame like this?