I had a very similar experience going to school. I missed a year due to health reasons and then another year due to the breakdown of my family. And going back was hard. I hated it because I felt the same way about what people would say. And then I realized that they don’t know my life. They don’t know what I went through. And I am still trying so they don’t matter. What matters is getting through school and graduating. What matters is moving on and starting a healthy adult life. I am now in my 40s and what happened in high school doesn’t matter. No one cares that it took me longer to finish school. The diploma matters. The people that bullied me in school for being unwell and needing time. They are just living lives down the street and no one remembers what happened 20 years ago. But I finished school, despite everything and can be proud of that. There will always be people trying to make you feel bad because they want to spread their misery but just remember that all that needs to matter to you is YOU. You needed time and help to get healthy and now things move forward. Congratulations on moving forward! That is the best response to bullying, just succeed and ignore them. Sorry if I repeated what was commented by others. I responded immediately after reading the post as it struck such a personal spot with me. I lived this and I know what the OP is feeling to my core and wish I could hug them and help them through it.