I've modded a few games and have found most players are perfectly nice to mods - which is not at all to say bad behavior doesn't happen, I've definitely seen that phenomenon too! What it is to say is this:

Players treating you like shit is not a normal condition of modding and it's not something you should just accept or quit. It's the result of specific people behaving badly. Don't grin and bear it; tell them their behavior is unacceptable.

There is nothing better you can do for yourself as a mod than set boundaries and enforce them. "Don't talk to me like that, I'm a fellow hobbyist working hard so you can have fun" is a VERY REASONABLE boundary.

And if they throw a fit when you ask them to be nice, ban them. I guarantee your game will be better without someone who has an attitude like that.