Suffering By Choice?

In section/chapter IV, he talks about moaning on the first day simply from the initial pain of the toothache in comparison with the third and fourth day. Dostoyevsky’s description of the latter moaning reminded me of the burdens of those with mental illnesses such as depression or ADHD. People try to sympathize with these individuals in the beginning, but later can’t seem to comprehend the suffering of the illness or disorder. The world says, “It’s not that serious. Get over yourself,” while the disordered person internally screams back, “You don’t understand! I wish I could escape the agony!” It’s a sad reality of our common misunderstanding. 

While I realize the Underground Man may simply be content with his discontentment, I feel the need for benefit of the doubt here. Maybe he is the man with the toothache that can’t escape the pain. He seems trapped in his own thoughts. He comments, "...like a toothache, for which no one can be held responsible," which I agree with to an extent in the context. Discontentment is a choice sometimes, but it can also be a disease - a disease that our world is often infected with. I know some people are going to hate on this man, but I truly sympathize with and feel bad for the poor fella. 

In contrast, "Maybe he likes suffering just as much". Maybe the person suffering (the more "everyday people", not actual chemically imbalanced, etc. genuinely suffering people) isn't entirely suffering from the depths that they imagine they are, but more so from the trap and vicious cycle of the desire for sadness and suffering.

P.S. I commented on Sophia's and Trey's posts:)