[DoggieDad]

I have been told, by more than one T/PDoc that I use them as "professional friends". Multiple DX over the years - BP, BPD, MDD, dysthymia, etc. Am I just "adapting" to whatever fits that particular situation?

POSSIBLE TRIGGER FOLLOWS

It has been suggested that I won't intentionally commit suicide, but might accidentally, as I seek attention.

Maybe there is no MI involved and I'm just some kind of manipulator? Is just asking this manipulation?

Just confused and feeling in need of attention, I guess.

[glok]

Hello, DoggieDad. What do you think about what you have been told?

[DoggieDad]

I'm thinking they're probably right.

[pegasus]

Hello DoggieDad,

Ah, doubting the mental illness comes as part of the package, no I don't believe you are attention seeking. You have been diagnosed with the above mental health issues right? So how is that attention seeking? For example if you have BP, in a manic state or a depressive state you might accidently try to commit suicide perhaps without even realising it, you wouldn't do that for attention, it would happen in a moment of your illness.

While performing these "attention seeking" behaviors can you say you honestly have absolutely no hope of death?

Even if you are doing these things simply for the attention, is not the fact that you are willing to go to such extremes indicative of something being wrong?

[Perna]

It sounds to me like you are not working on your issues to resolve them but just skating across the surface, looking for someone else to attend to you when things are tough/you're lonely, etc. What do you want? There's nothing wrong with who we are, how we behave but being dependent on others to move forward in our own lives. . . there's a flaw in that plan? I know I did not have "words" to ask for help so use to call suicide/help lines because that got across my "need" for help to another who might/might not help. The comment your "professional friend" made about you accidentally attempting suicide reminded me of that. Attention seeking is not "bad" but if we do not take responsibility for it and do something with the attention we receive, other than to bask in it and move on to the next "fix", it can get harder to find people willing to do that our way, especially people already in our lives.

I would explore what "attention seeking" means to you and what purpose it has in your life and what you would like to do with/about it, with a therapist/T/PDoc.

[waggiedog]

Hello there DoggieDad. Your message hit home to me for sure. Why? Simply because I was given the label ''time waster'' and ''attention seeker'' for some 28 years!!! It wasn't until 4 years ago that I got officially diagnosed!! All of those terrible lost years because no Dr bothered to diagnose me. I do understand how this happened, probably as BPD wasn't known about in England back then ~ just maybe. I'm 100% in agreement that I'm Borderline Disorder, without a doubt. I'm not saying that your diagnoses are right or wrong as I'm no Dr. AND there's no reason why you shouldn't have two or even three different disorders at the same time. I wouldn't just settle for what you've been told hunny. Take care, HUGS. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX .

[Restin]

Even if attention seeking is what you do, THAT deserves empathic treatment, not criticism. I hate that phrase 'attention seeking". It's mainly an epithet used by jealous people who wish they were getting the attention you're seeking. And you might not even be seeking attention per se, but just don't know how to communicate your deepest feelings to the T. Sometimes several layers of armor are over the real you, and unfortunately you just haven't found the therapist who can help you through them.

The fact that you make appointments with therapists to start with means you have deeper troubles than can be resolved by casual friends, reading, etc. So, please don't give up on yourself. The right therapist is out there for you, I'm sure.

[DoggieDad]

Thank you all for your input. You've given me some things to think about. 'Cuz you know, I'm not obsessed about enough.

[Hellion]

Have you ever felt suicidal like actually thought of attempting or attempted? If so that should be an obvious sign to any mental health professional that you likely have mental health issues. Even if it was more of an 'attention' thing certainly still seems like a concern...and probably some sort of mental health issue there as well. I mean I am pretty sure most people don't act suicidal or try to make it look like they attempted for attention...due to the obvious danger of doing so.

I have felt like trying more than once, and I had one suicide attempt by overdose...when I was 15, though some people seem to doubt I actually had the intent of it working....I actually did but of course I had a while to think about it before anything happened and so I ended up admitting what I did to a couple people.

I would perhaps look into finding a mental health professional who is more concerned with helping then the exact 'why' behind why you need the help. But those can be rather hard to find...there are also a lot that just prescribe meds but suck at following up or don't really ask much about your actual state of mind.