I'm so sorry that happened to you. This is exactly why I hate the term "mental illness," because it implies that it's somehow "in your mind" and something you have control over, when the fact is, it's just as physiological as cancer, or diabetes, or any other disease. I think a much better term would be "neurophysiological illness" or something that underscores the physical basis of these illnesses. So many people are so ignorant about illnesses in general, and their denial of them just reflects their inability to truly be a friend, some main parameters of which are sympathy, understanding, and acceptance. I hope that you can find some friends that will be there for you, or that maybe some of your current friends will come around, though of course I could understand your hesitation of even trying to get them to understand after those comments. My heart goes out to you. At least you're not alone on here.