Are people who thrive for attention really happy?

Question

Tell me about people like this. What do they really want? Does the behavior stem from low self-esteem, insecurity, need for approval, etc.?

rayvonti, this is not about 'watching' and 'casting judgements.' This is a general question about trying to understand human nature. Is there anything wrong with that? You seem to have missed the point of my question. The curious mood allows people to open their awareness, while learning and growing in the process. Knowledge really is power. There are plenty of men and women who are probably studying this right now ---> about why attention seekers do what they do and why. Well, yeah, while it's probably none of our business as to what a specific person does, to understand, generally, why it happens can be quite fascinating. Think about it.

Gabriel, the happy feeling one feels as attention is showered upon him/her is fleeting. True contentment comes from within. Sure, everyone wants and needs attention. You can't deny that. But some go overboard. That's the type of attention I'm referring to. Examples of this can be seen in real life with normal folks as well as with some celebrities.

Answer 1

No, they are not. Attention is a drug to some people. There is never enough satisfaction because there never is a final gratification.

People that seek attention generally have low-selfesteem, need for approval, neglected as children, don't like the reality and make up grandiose stories, or maybe want to keep reliving a past that will never be seen again. I feel sorry for that people in that situation. Everyone at some point has felt like tooting their own horn. That's normal and healthy. A person with mental health disorder is like anyone else, just amplified. I don't imagine it's fun feeling like you have to keep validating yourself.

Answer 2

Not really, because if they get attention they are happy while they are getting it, if you are not getting attention then you are unhappy and is the easiest human thing to criticize the ones that search for that happiness trough attention, they are just satisfying a natural and basic instinct, that's all, nothing wrong with that.

Low self stem does not exist, is just a prejudicial term applied on people that needs attention because the egomaniacs don't want to share it with them, so is not there fault in any matter.

If you "truly" are happy without attention you will certainly be a mystic living by herself in the desert, the caves or the mountains.

Answer 3

unless you are a person with no insecurities and constantly the center of attention, you don't have this problem. Those who seek to be the center of attention probably were not held enough as a baby and starve for the attention their parents didn't give them.

I had plenty of attention and I still don't like to be ignored..... pretty secure in my self as a person, but everyone has issues and we all has a whole need to accept people as they come......... I need a certain degree of attention and I'm very happy

Answer 4

It can be any of the listed. People who crave attention usually do so based on the way they are raised. If their parents gave them too much attention, this can cause them to believe they deserve all attention at all times, and feel incompetent without it. If their parents gave them too little, they will strive to get attention in anyway possible, good or bad.

People with low self-esteem also usually need attention and reassurance of their greatness, usually linking back to a problem in their younger years. This is linked with insecurity.

Hope this helped!

Answer 5

I think depending on the person if their happy or not. As far as wanting to be center of attention, they are looking for affirmation of themselves that they are accepted. Or they want there way to be seen to seek the approval of others, wich nobody needs approval of others. They may just simply like attention. Some people don't like to be seen and others love it, it can also go by their personality. It truly depends on the individual.

Answer 6

As a mental health professional with 20+ years experience, now retired, I can say confidently that you've "hit the nail on the head". One additional point I might make here is that the individuals in question here also have "sold their souls" to the commercial interpretation as to what makes a popular and "happy" person, and, sad to say, are reaping their just desserts, which aren't so good. God Bless you.

Answer 7

no, they aren't happy. that's why they need the attention. yes, behavior does stem from those. for example, they don't feel like they get enough attention from home, so they act out among friends or at school. if their self-esteem is low, they want to build it by getting attention, and feeling like all eyes are on them all the time.

Answer 8

It starts at home, the parents are not paying enough attention to their kids so these kids strive to be seen and get noticed, by doing these things. And the part about them being happy, I guess really depends on the person.

Answer 9

In my experience, people like this are not happy with themselves. They think that other people attention is the only way.....I don't know...to maybe make them forget about how crappy they feel about themselves. My ex-wife was one of these people. She thrived for so much attention..manly from other guys... that she cheated on me and ended our marriage. Out side of my personal experience all the behaviors you explained make sense to me. Good luck.

Answer 10

very rarely are they happy. most people that thrive for attention just want to feel that they are noticed, that they matter, that they have left their mark on the world. Like all these shooting by teens lately. They don't feel important, so they will do anything to get any acknowledgement they can good or bad.