Hi lovefortheunloved, could they unintentionally be being mean to you because they don't understand??? Maybe they're behaving that way based on what they know/don't know???
In which case could you help them to understand a little more???
But if that's not the case and they're just flat out mean to you or don't want to understand then it sounds like you're vastly overrating them and vastly underrating yourself.
Maybe you could look more for/towards people who give you approval, who make you feel better about yourself, who are going to understand, who are going to be there for you, and who actually warrant your approval.
But if you're struggling to be understood you might want to talk a little more on here as well.........we can be a pretty understanding bunch on here
Alison