Having a friend to talk to may not be enough. In this case, helping your relative/friend understand that psychological help may be needed and helping them find it is of great value.
Brikena Krasniqi-Hoti
Even if this happens, the excessive need to receive attention from others is in itself an indication of how unfulfilled and suffering within oneself he or she is.
This is precisely a sign of emotional/psychological difficulties, for which he needs support or even professional help.
Behaviors from people who seem to be seeking too much attention tend to make you feel irritated and embarrassed. But how do we know when attention-seeking behavior is something you can just ignore and when it's a problem that may need to be addressed in a more serious way?
It's a universal human need to want to stand out, to be taken seriously, and to be loved. So, in a way, attention-seeking behaviors are something most of us can understand where they come from.
On the other hand, attention-seeking behavior can at first glance seem manipulative, passive-aggressive, or heavy-handed, and can push people away, strain relationships, or destroy them altogether.
But this behavior could be an indication that the person is experiencing emotional difficulties like low self-esteem, mood swings, anxiety or personality disorders, they could be struggling with something like bipolar disorder, and too many other difficulties to count.
Telling someone to “pull themselves together” has never helped anyone do that. This approach is insensitive and dismissive, and at worst, signals an unwillingness to help the individual deal with the distress in question. It’s much more helpful to show your support, even if you don’t really understand the situation or how they’re feeling. Try saying something like, “I’m here to hear how you’re feeling”; “This is hard, but we’ll get through this together.” Back up this statement with action: Stick with them as needed.
So, if possible, the best way to talk to someone who is exhibiting these behaviors is with compassion and understanding. Try to tell the person what you are observing and ask what you can do to help. Ask them what they are going through and let them know that you are there to support them. Often, simply having someone in their life who cares is enough to make the person feel better and reduce some of their attention-seeking behaviors.
People with psychological disorders are also stigmatized by those around them, resulting in shame and embarrassment, as well as prejudice and discrimination against them. Thus, understanding and treating psychological disorders has broad implications for the daily lives of many people.
Having a friend to talk to may not be enough. In this case, helping your relative/friend understand that psychological help may be needed and helping them find it is of great value.
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