Didn't know where to put this and just felt like airing my grievances in a public forum, let me know if it's inappropriate. Also, feel free to join in with your own rants, about anything!

Basically I'm part of a group on a social networking site that offers a public forum/interaction for those with depression/mental illnesses. I'm getting so sick of it because constantly I'm running into posts that shame "outside" people (those without mental illnesses or even those who are just outside the social sphere). Constantly I'm running into people who are telling others that someone's a bad friend because they were busy or weren't able to help, and telling them to drop them! Heck, even when "outside" people offer to help (a friend offered to help financially but then couldn't because she accidentally broke her phone and had to pay for it), those within the group shame them for being a bad friend and not living up to their promise. I don't know whether it's just because of the exposure I have (being someone with depression/anxiety), but I swear that people I should call peers who also suffer from mental illness can be some of the most intolerant and self-absorbed people I know. It's horrible behaviour and creates such an "us vs them" mentality and then they wonder why people don't like them!

Of course, this isn't everyone, and maybe I'm noticing it more because subconsciously I'm picking up on these cases more but it makes me feel so alone in a community where I feel like I shouldn't be.

I don't think that you're noticing it more, I have definitely found this to be true -- but not just of others who also have mental illnesses. Most people I have met who heavily identify or label themselves with a social minority group (excluding race) -- they almost expect their friends to cater to them and that trait of who they are. It's gotten to the point where I am not open about my asperger's, anxiety, etc. because every person I have met who harps that they have it tend to also be obnoxious about it. Friends should be sensitive in that if I say, "Hey, I can't do this because I don't have the energy to be around people," but that doesn't mean that they should be slaves to my will.

Sorry for the added rant but, this is something that I absolutely have dealt with and wanted to throw in my two cents to let you know that you are not alone when you notice these patterns.