Is it normal to hurt myself for attention?

24% Normal
9 Comments

Is it normal to do this? I feel as though I'd be willing to kill myself just to get attention. I know that's pretty effed up, by the way. I punch brick walls just for people to ask if my hand is okay, and I used to hold my breath and starve myself so I'd faint - just for attention. This is also really conflicting as I have social anxiety, and I often push away people when they give me attention. *sigh* My relationship with attention is very ambivalent.
I also feel as though no body cares, and I'm trying to test them with this cries for attention, to see who really cares.

So, I'm guessing its not, but IIN?

Voting Results
24% Normal
Based on 41 votes (10 yes)
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Comments ( 9 )
  • gashlover
    9 years ago

    it sounds like Munchhausen syndrome

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  • wow9
    10 years ago

    are you sure that it's completely for attention? not just a cry for help?
    I'd say if you're a teenager, dealing with a lot of issues it's normal to feel this way but it's obviously not a good idea to continue doing this kind of stuff
    If you're an adult, you really need to grow up and get past this stuff, sorry just being honest here.
    it does make sense that you're doing all this to see if someone cares because how else would you know if anyone does? just be careful and don't do something you'll regret

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  • bulbasaur64
    6 years ago

    it isn't normal in the sense of being healthy, but thought patterns like this are a lot more common than you might think.

    i deal with impulses like this every day and have struggled with self-harm all my life (one month clean though!). it can be devastating to be in so much emotional pain and have it invalidated because "it's just for attention." but some degree of attention is a basic need for most people -- humans are social creatures. We want reassurance that others acknowledge us and care about us, and when we don't get that reassurance it's very psychologically painful.

    social anxiety can make it even harder -- if you want to be close to people and have them understand you, but you don't know how to initiate that closeness, it can become tempting to use extreme methods.

    the thoughts don't make you bad, and you don't have to act on them. they're just thoughts. i recommend trying therapy and/or meeting with a psychiatrist if you are able to, because sometimes these thoughts can stem from mood, anxiety, or personality disorders, or past trauma, and addressing those can be really helpful in moving forward to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

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  • Avant-Garde
    9 years ago

    A cry for help, perhaps? I used to vie for attention too as a child because, I was in an abusive situation. I didn't know how to explain it much less, where to go for help. Attention was a way there.

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  • NormalIsOverratedBeANinja
    10 years ago

    Fuck you. I have a bunch of friends who self-harm — for REAL REASONS — and I'm sure they'd love to tell you if you're normal or not. You make me sick.

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    • golden_showers
      9 years ago

      what would be a legitimate reason to self harm?

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  • SHAKEStheClown
    10 years ago

    You're probably mentally ill.

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    • hiiiiiiiiiii
      10 years ago

      Not true. Many children do it for attention also. U could very much grow out of it. I do completely understand the wanting attention but when u get it u act as though u don't want it. I've done it. Hurting urself for this is a bad habit, but I want to assure u that this is somewhat normal.

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  • BloodRedAndTrue
    10 years ago

    i think you need to date someone who can show you love and the error of your ways

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