I understand you, and I wonder the same thing. I totally agree. Other diagnoses that people have a problem with (if they know anything about them), are Borderline PD, Histrionic PD, actually many of the personality disorders. I get that one would be very wary of someone with Antisocial or Narcissistic Personality Disorder (I mean for one's own safety and sanity), but some of the others really need support.

I have to say in my experience only other people with issues rally around when they find out I have depression, anxiety, and PTSD, But this is not necessarily true of other people. Others often disappear, or try to give me absurd advice, some actually say that I seem nice but they don't need that kind of negativity in their lives. I actually tend not to let it slip, some of my Dx's. Recently, I had a nurse in the ER be downright confrontational about my conditions. I didn't know what to think or how to react. It's not like any of it had anything to do with the toothpick impaling the top of my foot. I only mentioned it because it is part of the medical history and my meds were obviously for anxiety and depression. I mean, I'll grant you I was babbling and in a cold sweat, but I was in a lot of pain (I do NOT recommend this kind of non-serious injury to anyone. Not only does it hurt, but it is really hard to explain).

For the brain injury... people really don't get it. They don't have a problem with the fact that I have one, but they are not at all supportive or tolerant of the symptoms that accompany it. Many many people just think I am not trying hard enough...

I think that in many ways, how mental illness is portrayed in movies, TV, books, etc. helps cause this. People with DID are regularly portrayed as killers. People with Anorexia are portrayed as vain and selfish. Whereas Combat PTSD has gotten a lot of attention so people sort of understand it. I have encountered people who didn't believe PTSD that was not from combat was actually real, though. They thought it was just people whining about the past and blaming their problems on someone or something other than themselves.