Why do some people think you're looking for sympathy or attention when you're generally asking a question?

Maybe because they want attention or sympathy and think everyone is the same

Because that's the only reason they are here, to belittle, troll or otherwise insult people. Some don't realise they do it because it's oh so easy to post your opinion online without first thinking about the impact of your words, and others do it on purpose because they enjoy taking their **** out on the world. In all cases does the response however say something about the person writing it, and if these replies hurt you, you to keep that in mind.

How do you phrase it?