But what if they were / are more ill than you've ever been? Which they probably have been an are, it's really not something healthy to be envying. Honestly.
I personally don't necessarily think it's about being more ill, rather what treatment is appropriate. For example Katie I know you struggle with anxiety, acute wards are such noisy, unpredictable environments that it can make anxieties worse, rather than providing respite.
I also think it's a lot about personal responsibility and maturity aswell (though obviously in cases of psychosis things are a little different). I think a lot of more immature people end up in hospital because they don't have the maturity to try and engage with services properly and actively fight against their treatment. I think the fact that you have never been hospitalised shows your willingness to work for recovery and that you have the inner resources, coupled with your strong support network which enables you to fight through some really dark times whilst remaining in the community.