What makes an attention seeker

They may continuously read into other people's behaviors, thinking that they are silently judged. Because of this, they may act out with manipulative or attention-seeking behaviors. Those with narcissistic personality disorder tend to think highly of themselves and may also see the people around them as less important. Thus, people with narcissistic personality disorder may be seen as performing attention-seeking behaviors. They often have trouble empathizing with others but react strongly to criticism against themselves.

They often act with a sense of entitlement. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder can be very manipulative of others and seek admiration and compliments. It's important to note that symptoms from all three of these disorders can drastically improve with the help of a licensed therapist. Experiencing and creating drama can release hormones that make you feel good , though those hormones only work for a short period. As a result, people sometimes find themselves continuously seeking out dramatic situations, regardless of how damaging they may be long term.

You don't need drama to feel good, and it can damage your social life. Many people who seek out drama, or chaotic relationships, do so due to neglect in their childhood.

Though everyone needs acknowledgment and attention from those around them, some people who seek it out can create a cycle of unhealthy behaviors. Drama can be addicting, especially if it gets you the attention you are craving.

The brain is wired to become stuck on behaviors that bring emotional rewards. Over time, people have to go to greater lengths and cause more drama to get the same attention. Eventually, the people affected by these behaviors may begin to distance themselves or stop giving the person's attention to protect their mental well-being. Social media is not necessarily a cause of attention-seeking behavior, but it does provide additional outlets for people prone to seeking out negative attention.

Because social media puts you in front of a larger audience than you would encounter face-to-face on a given day, it increases the likelihood that someone will pay attention to you. Social media also allows people to curate how they are represented to those who engage with them. Though social media can be a great way to connect with the people you love, it's important to pay attention to your habits when using it.

Seeking out emotional fulfillment online can isolate you from the world around you. People tend to learn these attention-seeking behaviors out of fear. In fact, you may not even realize that what you are doing is attention-seeking behavior.

If you crave attention and fall into using unhealthy behaviors to get it, you can get help. You don't have to rely on others for your confidence and self-esteem. The best source of self-esteem is feeling confident about yourself. You have to love yourself first. Otherwise, the love of others may never feel sincere to you. On the other hand, when you notice that someone you care about is engaging in this toxic behavior, you can help them move away from this destructive pattern of attention-seeking.

Approach them to express concern, and reassure them that you are there for them. If they are receptive, direct them to a mental health professional with experience treating the causes of attention-seeking. Some individuals who engage in these behaviors can be manipulative and abusive. It's important to ensure that you are not getting into a situation that allows them to damage your mental or physical health. Regardless of a person's mental health disorder, abuse in any relationship is not okay.

If you have found yourself in an unsafe relationship, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is a free resource available to you. Their services are confidential, and their professionals have the tools to help remove you from an abusive environment safely. With the right support, you can protect your mental and physical health.

If you want to change your behavior, the first thing you need to do is learn to acknowledge it. Focus on identifying times when you're engaging in these behaviors, and look for the underlying reason why you do it.

Journaling or keeping a written record is a great way to track what triggers these behaviors and how they affect your relationships. Growing your confidence and self-esteem can help you learn to build yourself up, so you won't look to others to do it for you. An easy way to start improving your confidence is to start tracking your regularly having success. Start by celebrating really small tasks and then build up to bigger ones.

When you start to see the success you're having, it will grow even more and boost your self-esteem. If you're used to seeking attention, there's a good chance that you do a lot more talking than listening.

Start working on putting the focus on others - instead of trying to have it all for yourself. This might feel uncomfortable to you at first because you aren't used to it, but it will get easier as you continue to do it. Making an effort to shift your attention from yourself to the people around you can help them feel closer to you. As a result, it can be rewarding to focus your attention outside of yourself actively.

Talking with a mental health professional is an effective way to work on changing your behavior. Like those at BetterHelp , a therapist can work with you to help you identify where your craving for attention is coming from and what changes you can make to stop engaging in these behaviors.

You can read reviews of our therapists below from people experiencing similar issues. She is also great at reinforcing positive behavior while also pointing out where errors have been made. Those with narcissistic personality disorder typically have a need for admiration with a lack of empathy. According to the American Psychiatric Association , for someone to receive a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder, they need to display at least 5 of the following criteria:.

If left unchecked, attention-seeking behavior can often become manipulative or otherwise harmful. Attention-seeking behavior may stem from jealousy, low self-esteem, loneliness, or as a result of a personality disorder. If you notice this behavior in you or someone else, a mental health professional can provide diagnosis and treatment options. Personality disorders are a group of mental health conditions that are characterized by inflexible and atypical patterns of thinking, feeling, and….

Borderline personality disorder and relationships can be a complicated mix. Being aware of the impact of BPD, seeking professional help, and offering…. Experiencing or witnessing a narcissistic rage can be a frightening experience. Understand what fuels the anger, how to protect yourself, and how to…. Narcissism is often viewed as a permanent personality defect, but change may be possible.

People with passive-aggressive behavior express their negative feelings subtly through their actions instead of handling them directly. Read on to…. Paranoid personality disorder PPD is characterized by intense mistrust and suspicion of others. Learn about similar disorders, diagnosis, treatment…. Having quiet Borderline Personality Disorder BPD means that you direct mood swings and behaviors inward, rather than directing them towards others…. Click the link to learn more.

Not sure what to do about your tendency to seek attention all the time? Speak to a counselor today who can walk you through the process of overcoming it. Simply click here to connect with one of the experienced counselors on BetterHelp. This page contains affiliate links. I receive a commission if you choose to purchase anything after clicking on them.

Katie is a writer and translator with a focus on travel, self-care and sustainability. She's based between a cave house in Granada, Spain, and the coast of beautiful Cornwall, England.

She spends her free time hiking, exploring, eating vegan tapas and volunteering for a local dog shelter. By Katie Uniacke - Last updated on 14th October