Attention seeking --- a borderline trait?

I have a tendency to be an attention seeker, some times it's gotten out of hand. One of my psychiatrists said (because it was my understanding this is typically a histrionic trait) that it's also a borderline trait, but I've never read that anywhere. I wasn't diagnosed with HPD, just BPD.
To other borderlines, do you/have you had tendencies to be attention seeking?

I guess it depends what drives it?

what? me? NEVER...look at me! look at me! pay attention to me! umm...so, yeah?

*TW*

Does trying to hang yourself while you are in the hospital because you aren't getting the attention you need from the nurses count?

YEP! I would fall under this category too! One of my previous therapists worked really hard with me on asking for attention verbally vs acting out to get attention. I'm definitely better, but it's still a struggle.

I've been a negative attention seeker since childhood because of family dynamics. I am much better now but I do get sicknesses so my husband will take care of me. That is how my Mom gave me love. I am looking at this pattern, working on it.

I wear sexy dresses. I know I get attention for it but it also makes me feel beautiful. I don't feel comfortable also in pants or shorts.

monkey66 wrote:I've been a negative attention seeker since childhood because of family dynamics. I am much better now but I do get sicknesses so my husband will take care of me. That is how my Mom gave me love. I am looking at this pattern, working on it.

Its interesting how understanding family dynamics can tell you a lot about what's going on and why. Just realising that stuff doesn't seem to immediately undo it though.

I've also recently realised some stuff about my own family dynamics growing up and how those have related to some of the issues I have, also what some of the issues I have are and how I couldn't see them and why that meant I couldn't make sense of my own behaviour.

No one has managed to answer part of the question yet (about how a need for attention relates to BPD i mean.)

katana wrote:

monkey66 wrote:No one has managed to answer part of the question yet (about how a need for attention relates to BPD i mean.)

Interesting replies so far, but that's what I'm wondering, but I agree that it depends on the reasoning behind it.

katana wrote:
No one has managed to answer part of the question yet (about how a need for attention relates to BPD i mean.)

I wouldn't consider attention seeking to be a borderline trait.

My best guess as to how it relates to bpd is during childhood emotional trauma / neglect / lack of nurturing/love occurs. The need for attention seeking would be a dysfunctional way to feel important, not ignored, and possibly feel loved.. etc.

I don't know if it's attention seeking or love seeking. To quote the Borderline's anthem, "I Want You To Want Me." In lieu of true love, we'll settle for unadulterated lust ...for now.

We may be attention junkies, but even we only want certain types of attention. Could we really stand it if everyone hated us? Fearing us, sure (at least, for the guys, as it gives an aura of power, which attracts women and the possibility of the aforementioned true love or at least lust), but everyone hating us? Probably not.

I get that way myself. I know that HPD has that as well.