[blackwhitered]

to prefer the company of other mentally ill/neuroatypical people to neurotypical people?

Like, I don't mean it in an exploitative way. I don't get off on others' suffering.

At the same time, it's not completely about having something in common (though that is a big factor).

For example, though I'm not autistic, I enjoy autistic people because I like the way they think and can sympathize with their frustrations with "normal" people.

I like how artistic people with depression and bipolar disorder can be. Sometimes I feel that depressed people are more honest than optimists. And I prefer conversations with people with mood disorders to people without.

But I want to make it clear that I DON'T mean this in an exploitative way. I know people like that, who fake empathy with the mentally ill just so they can get inside their heads because it's "interesting" or "entertaining". That pisses me off.

No, I just like the unique perspectives of neuroatypicals and I don't feel that most neurotypicals can provide that.

[Hellion]

I don't really see anything wrong with that.

[marmaduke]

'Normal' people can be boring. Lack depth and understanding.
Its no surprise that many famous people had problems. From Jung (psychotic in mid life) to Spike Milligan (bi polar) Ruby Wax (depression) Steven fry (bi polar) the list goes on.
There is evidence to link mental illness with greatness and an ability to 'think outside the box'
The Mad Artist's Brain: The Connection between Creativity and Mental Illness - Scientific American
So I know what you mean when you say you;
'prefer the company of other mentally ill/neuroatypical people to neurotypical people?'
They are sometimes just more interesting!

if it makes you more comfortable - I do not see anything wrong in it.

[elevatedsoul]

i feel that these type of people can be more understanding since they've experienced troubles too

Not at all. We naturally want to be with people who understand us.

[-jimi-]

I don't hang out with normals. It's just pointless.