The problem I have with "attention seeking" is that it always seems to come out, "just seeking attention" as if that is somehow all the person is/does and as if seeking attention is wrong, in and of itself. It reminds me of the cartoon with the guy out in the water and the bubble over him reads, "I'm not waving you idiots, I'm drowning!" If you think about it in the "opposite" way, what kind of person, knowing someone wanted/needed attention, would deliberately not give it to them and criticize them instead! "Oh, he's just seeking attention."