I don't believe attention seeking behavior is wrong or bad or undesirable, etc. I just believe it needs to be recognized and used to help one's self. I did not have the words or ability to express my needs and would call suicide lines for help; technically speaking, that would be "attention seeking behavior". They would refer me and that would be a "plan" and I would know what to do "next" (call the agency/therapist and get an appointment, etc.).

I think we get some childish idea of negative behavior, only, when we hear those words and try to play keep-away from thinking we would engage in such behavior or that our behavior is such behavior. I think if one talks about or mentions suicide, one needs something from others and "attention" sounds good to me! It's a coping mechanism, something that helps us get (attention :-) an interaction with another who might be able to help us with our difficulties and feel better. It's a shorthand way of saying, "Hey, I really need some help here!" and it is in a language so your next door neighbor doesn't pop up and say, "Sure, what do you need?" Instead, you get a mental health practitioner who might have a clue?

However, your title mentions "thoughts". Those are idiocentric so why you have those thoughts would not necessarily correspond with why I am having them. I found my T's phone number in the library (out of state phone books) after a 10 year time apart in order to call her and make an appointment and was elated and then immediately felt compelled to look up and check out books on suicide! Bet you have not had a reaction like that? I think I was trying to get my own attention (I succeeded :-)