It's not "them" seeking attention--is's "us." Everybody does it. It's part of the give and take of communication. People tell about their woes and get it off their back, others listen and offers sympathy and, in turn, share their own troubles. It's how we connect. But some people just don't have any sense of restraint. Selfishness, tone-deafness to conversation, passive-agressiveness--whatever their problem, they go too far.