Re the assholes: That’s what I originally thought as well. I don’t come from a particularly progressive culture when it comes to attitudes about mental health. That does get reflected with one’s choice of bed partners sometimes. Either you become an object of morbid curiosity because “why would you mutilate yourself like that?”, or the fact that you have that struggle somehow devalues you as a person and takes away a certain measure of respect.
That’s not just an asshole guy thing; I’ve noticed it in women too. And something that spans societal class weirdly enough.
I’m glad you were able to have a healthy conversation about it!