Im A Massive Attention Seeker, I Need It!?

Hi, Im new to all this so please no nasty comments, I am doing this as I feel I need answer. Well i'll start off with my name is verity I am 20 yrs old and study outdoor education at college, hoping to go on to uni after. I have a big problem which bothers me and has disrupted so many things in my life. Everywhere I go, I need attention and need to be different. At college for example I separate myself from the class, I pretend and make up stories about having a **** home life to my lecturers saying I get abused, I used to cut my wrists to get attention and now I pick my lips and say its because of anxiety... Im so ashamed At home I recently told my parents I was lesbian for attention (I am bi). When I am around friends I pretend to be either the depressed one with loads of problems or the reckless one doing dangerous things (or both). Before anyone writes a horrible post, you should know about my past. My father commited suicide when I was 13 yrs old leaving me, my mum and my 2 brothers. I never had any proper counselling. My mum then remarried when I was 15 yrs old and have since then been completely rejected/neglected by my mum. When I was at school we could go a whole week without talking (we live in the same house). Things are now a bit better however the bad times always haunt me, could there be link between my events and my current behaviour? Im thinking about seeing my college counsellor but im scared she'll hate me for my behaviour. Sorry if this has offended

Why do you need to attract attention mostly with negative or controverse things, you think? Because it's easier?

What kind of attention do you like do draw to yourself? How do you want people to feel?

twistednerve wrote:Why do you need to attract attention mostly with negative or controverse things, you think? Because it's easier?

What kind of attention do you like do draw to yourself? How do you want people to feel?

Cause Its shocking. And that negative behavior is reinforced every time someone gives attention. Yes we see you being that way. We are worried and now you think you will have to do the negative behavior every time to get the attention. Cause nothing else worked. Direct it towards the nearest mental health professional for a proper diagnosis. They love to give attention to your problems.

You're young and it stemmed from your teens. The behaviors. If you want to be less attention-seeking...perhaps a therapist can help you develop more interpersonal skills? Being a good listener is an excellent trait to start with.