Do you think this is for attention? - Comments

v To me, if anything, it shows that she's that much more desperate. And, honestly, if you choose to view it as...an inappropriate method, we'll say, to handle that, that's fine. But what bothers me is the implication that she should be ashamed of her depression, which may not have been what the person who made that comment intended, but it rubbed me the wrong way.

AmorarEsDeVivir I totally respect that because I used to do it too when I was more involved with Mibba, aha. I think that talking about your problems though and talking to others about them to seek help, and making a video/taking a picture of your "problems" in order to seek help, is two completely different things.

You're right, it is VERY different. For some people--myself included--talking about it on the internet is easier. It's a way to let out my emotions, without fear of judgment from the people whose opinions matter most. It's a way to talk to SOMEONE--even if that someone is a faceless mass of people I don't know--without having to reveal insecurities to people close to me, people who would be affected and who would in turn be able to affect me.

Maybe it's not the most effective long-term, but for some people the alternative is to keep everything bottled up until they become self-destructive (or even more so than they already are, in some cases). It's certainly not something that, in my opinion, should evoke anger or resentment or ostracism.

AmorarEsDeVivir I agree but I don't think showing it on the internet is always the best thing just because you don't have the confidentiality that you would with someone close to you and someone that you trust. The internet and talking to someone in real life is completely different. I don't think you should be ashamed of yourself for doing it, but I don't think that showing the world wide internet is the best way to get help for it either.

Number XIII - At the same time, though, I honestly don't see how it's okay to make it out like depression is something that a person should be ashamed of. Saying, "Why would you want anyone to see that?" is like saying, "Why would you want anyone to know you're not okay? Keep it to yourself."

I mean, of course, there's the other side of the coin: If people proudly state that it is "who they are" and that it is just something other people should learn to deal with, then that is something else entirely. But to say that because you've shown externally that you are depressed, you should expect to be shunned...that isn't okay to me. Because I am an extroverted person, and when I am suffering from severe issues with depression, it is something I talk about on the internet. Why? Because it's someplace where I can be anonymous, and someplace where if people judge me, it doesn't hit me the same; but at the same time, it's a "place" so populated that I know someone will understand, even if they don't say so.

I know it's hard to be afraid that people who don't understand will find out. But at the same time, to expect everyone who suffers to swallow it? That can become extremely destructive.

Number XIII That's basically why I don't understand it. Harming yourself isn't something to be proud of or show the world. I think that posting it on the internet is the wrong way to gain attention from it. Go talk to a parent, a friend, a therapist. If you chose to show the whole world your arm, then you're obviously wanting the whole world to know.

I would be angry at her, not going to lie. Yes, it's good that people are probably going to help her and stop her, but I would be angry that it's for attention. I have friends who flaunt these things like diamond rings, and I can't help but yell at them. I ask them why they would want people to see these, why they would show the world, and they usually respond with 'I am who I am and if you can't accept me then...' No, people are not going to accept you. They are going to push you away now. You will most likely end up in a hospital under intensive watch.

Jut a few hours ago there was this girl on Facebook posting pictures of cuts and saying how she was sad. I really, really don't know how to put the correct wording into this, but the girl in the picture was extremely thin, bony even, but the girl who posted the pictures is kind of overweight. That's attention, she wasn't even harming herself, yet she was posting pictures of someone who was and claiming they were her.

I have delt with this problem, I still deal with it, and my biggest fear is people finding out. I don't understand how people can just... show it off like a shiny metal. Urg, sorry for the rant... >.<

BrittanyNAltheide I didn't post this to rant about her or anything, I merely don't understand where the girl is coming from - or where anyone is coming from when they post self harm. And when I say wanting attention I don't mean they HEY LOOK AT ME kind, I mean the Hey look at me, I need fucking help and don't know what to do kind. And I'm not really assuming anything, when the facts are all there, aha.

Brittany - Don't take a defensive tone over this. I don't think she's trying to make this an accusation--merely a genuine outreach for a better understanding of the girl's motives.

It's entirely possible that she's doing it because she doesn't know how else to make people understand. I've never done anything like that personally, but I do post pretty personal details about my emotional issues when I'm having really bad rounds with anxiety or depression. It's usually because I want to lay it all out there in hopes that someone will really, fully get it.

It may also be for attention after all--not in the "EVERYBODY LOOK AT ME!" sense, but in a sense that she wants someone to realize she's hurting, wants someone to see it. Maybe she wants to know, if everyone saw what was going through her mind, how many of them would take time out of their lives to show that they care.

There could be any number of reasons, I suppose, attention-seeking and otherwise. I do think, though, that even if it is for attention--and I say this every time someone says, "Oh, they're just cutting for attention, ignore them" (though I know that's not what you're saying here)--if she's going to such drastic measures for said attention, it's a huge red flag that there is something seriously wrong and she needs help.

That depends. Sometimes the minds of people who are depressed aren't rational. When I'm in the middle of a sort of, "fit", in my depression where I'm crying and thinking about cutting etc, I usually post about it on Mibba. I don't want attention. I don't want anyone to know how bad things are. And I don't want people to go "oh, no, poor you". And yet I post it. It doesn't make sense and I usually delete it as soon as my "rational" mind kicks back in.

It depends, is all I'm saying.

You know, sometimes its not for attention! You are just assuming stuff because that is what society said. You dont know her problems, you dont know her life. So before you go and say its for attention, knnow the facts! If she was seeking for attention she wouldnt be crying and doing it. Trust me I would know. Before assuming stuff, just dont say anything unless you know the facts.

Definitely seeking attention. I can't fathom why else she would do something so dramatic. If she really just wanted help or something, wouldn't she just tell/show someone in private instead of making a big scene?

You know, sometimes its not for attention! You are just assuming stuff because that is what society said. You dont know her problems, you dont know her life. So before you go and say its for attention, knnow the facts! If she was seeking for attention she wouldnt be crying and doing it. Trust me I would know. Before assuming stuff, just dont say anything unless you know the facts.

I agree.