I have noticed a recurring theme in my life: people lashing out at me for any little difference I show in temperament, being flat-out cruel, ruthless, and overly aggressive at me. The thing that is most puzzling is that I am very childlike, sweet, caring, thoughtful, empathetic, and I have never raised my voice in my life, I simply 'take it,' and then, I find, since I cannot think of a defense and anger is something I think about instead of act upon, I simply smile back meekly, with no quick one-liner back at the rude comment, simply take it, at that point the aggressor becomes more hostile when they see I do not have a reaction, that I mulling it over, holding it in.

This happens when I was a student, an employee, a friend, a family member, when I return a library DVD, when I show sympathy and understanding of deeper issues, this happens to me literally over and over and over.

I really have lost all faith in the goodness of humankind at this point in my life.

I am trying to be more assertive, and I am succeeding, yet, cruelty of character keeps getting aimed at me regardless.

I am schizoaffective and that's got to play a part of course, the fact that I am different, that I have more energy, more things going on socially, amidst those that choose to accept me as I am.

What are other people's findings? Vulnerability leads to ruthless attacks on your character? I am asking people to respond who wear their heart on their sleeve, have a lot of emotionality, have childlike qualities.

Thank you for helping me figure this out, once and for all. I look forward to hearing other points of view.