There's quite a few positive things to any kind of suffering, problems, illnesses. It gives the "sufferer" insight, compassion for others and understanding to name just a few benefits.

If it hadn't been for the psych therapy, I wouldn't understand about mental illness and that it's not a character flaw or something that can be "snapped out of." It's an illness that can be controlled. Also, I wouldn't have had the chance to change myself and my thinking modes. I would have never known that the "religion" I was taught was skewed and wouldn't have had the chance to straighten out that thinking, also. I wouldn't have learned the differences between how men and women are wired. I wouldn't have learned acceptance of others. When, eventually, my childhood trauma made itself known, I wouldn't have understood what was happening, why I was always angry at everyone and dealt with everything from that anger. Certainly, there would never have been any understanding of my beloved mother and why she thought and acted the way she did. I might still be resenting her rather than loving her. The benefits go on and on, but I'm sure you get the picture.