I act negatively to get attention from people. Please help.

Question

Hi doctor,

I become attached to people more easily, and I crave attention from the people I do connect to. I find myself wanting to act out negatively to get this attention from them, such as by starving myself, so they notice I have lost weight, or by self-harming in prominent places instead of hiding it. I do not want to worry anyone and hate myself for craving attention like this. But, I do not know how to make it stop. I have never told anyone about this and usually try to hide my emotions. This issue has been present for about seven years. In the past, I have engaged in different forms of self-harm as well as periods of fasting, self-induced vomiting, and laxative abuse to lose weight.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You seem to be suffering from an eating disorder associated with depressive features as well. You require antidepressants to combat this maladaptive behavior. Self-harming behavior can at times prove to be fatal. Hence, indulgence in such behavior is risky and will never do you any good. Weight loss achieved by harming yourself can damage your internal organs like the liver, stomach, etc. I suggest tablet Zosert 50 mg (Sertraline) twice daily along with tablet Clonotril 0.5 mg (Clonazepam) at night for a period of two weeks. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and take treatment with consent. Maintain your original personality and the world will admire you. Focus on your career at present. Take care.

Thank you.