What psychological term means increased need for attention?

[yurybx]

For many years, I have been trying unsuccessfully to fight CFS and depression. I continue to try different methods and medicines. But I also investigate my problem. I read articles about depression and CFS, but I did not find a term that accurately described my psychological problem.

I suspect that my depression and perhaps even my CFS are the result of a mental disorder, which is the need for attention from another person. It can be a friend, woman, coach or colleague. During the years of my illness, I had several cases of magical short-term cure. All of them, as I understand now, were the result of concentrated attention from different people. I remember a swimming session in the pool, during which the old female trainer mercilessly drove me along the swim path, not giving a break. I usually endure physical exertion very badly, but that day I returned home from a workout in excellent state of health! The effect lasted for about a day, after which I slipped into my usual state. I tried to repeat the experience, but nothing came of it: the novelty of the acquaintance evaporated and swimming began to bore me, as usual. There were other similar cases: composing music with a friend, even collaborating with a colleague. Every time there was a miraculous healing for one day! Does anyone know the medical term for this?

 

[Rufous McKinney]

the need for attention from another person

I myself call it 'lift"...that inexplicable something which over-rides the fog and malaise, due to the will switching back over into the - "On, but briefly" cycle. So I've had a bit more energy for maybe one week, and yesterday did several critical errands and spoke to other aparently living humans and saw clouds and pretty sky outside. I felt pretty good and forgot the ME/CFS for 3 hours. So an energy expenditure check had to be written to cover that "lift" event.

Today, I'm more tired and will have to do very little. Spoons, withdrawn, the analogy some of us love, so few spoons today. I sometimes think there are just moments when enough positive things occur to overshadow the "Dark Shadow" that follows us about. And it leads to systemic mental and emotional Exhaustion.

 

[nyanko_the_sane]

Therapists do wonders, perhaps you can find one to give you some of that attention you need. Some experts might say depression relieved by seeking attention might be related to past trauma and neglect. It is a complicated discussion because since we suffer from ME, we are also traumatized by the nature of our chronic illness. We do tend to also isolate ourselves because of our lack of energy to deal with people.

I have had similar issues and started to research attachment theory. I also experimented a bit with chronic illness meetup groups to meet new people.

 

[Mama Bear]

I think the term is distraction therapy

 

[Judee]

It sounds to me like you are low on dopamine and the events you've experienced have temporarily raised your levels. There are videos on youtube that talk about this.

This was a video I watched some time back on the subject. He has a more specific one about fluctuations in dopamine that might be interesting to watch but there are others there as well.

 

[valentinelynx]

After reading your question, I'm pretty sure this doesn't apply, but I'll throw it out there. The only psychiatric diagnosis I know that is specifically associated with "attention-seeking behavior" is histrionic personality disorder. People with this tend to be dramatic and flamboyant, and always have to be the center of attention. It is not associated with physical illness (although someone with HPD would likely scream, "I'm dying!" after stubbing a toe...). Here's a good article explaining it. Keep in mind that this is a pathology, and people with it are not happy or well-adjusted, although they can appear to be delightful on initial contact.

I'm not aware of a medical term for your experience. I believe the other posters are correct in that you are experiencing a kind of "rush" or "high" from these intense personal contacts that makes you feel better temporarily. You might find a similar effect from taking a stimulant, such as Adderall or Ritalin. Low doses of such have been helpful for some CFS patients, but you must be careful not to overdo the stimulation, causing relapse or PEM.

 

[yurybx]

@nyanko_the_sane,
I had a positive experience with a female psychotherapist. I really liked meeting her, and just a few meetings were enough for me to fall in love with her. When I realized this, I did not know what to do with it, and refused to meet with her. Now I understand that this was a mistake, but now I am in another city, and I can’t contact her because of the distance.
I also attended sessions with other psychotherapists, but they had no effect on me. It even tired, because I do not tolerate travel.
But attachment theory is interesting! I will read about it. Thanks for the link!

 

[yurybx]

@Judee,
I tried taking selegiline and bupropion (separately). I only felt worse. So it doesn't seem to be the case with dopamine.

 

[yurybx]

@valentinelynx,
Hysterical personality disorder - I think this is not about me. The fact is that being in the company of people, I feel uncomfortable and feel like running away. I get a buzz from the undivided attention of one person (there are no other people around, or they do not participate in communication). This is similar to the condition of a small child in need of maternal caring attention. Sometimes I really feel like a little abandoned child.

 

[Rufous McKinney]

[

I get a buzz from the undivided attention of one person

Currently find that this ME brain just cannot process the competing conversations typical of social events and engagement. Or I'm watching the news and husband starts talking to me. He can tune all that out, I cannot. I just go: blank. OVERLOAD SWITCH ON.

The art of Conversation is fading. We are forgetting how to interact socially. It was recently suggested us ME folks need: long pauses in between thoughts and words. Right, who will provide us with the necessary processing silence?

We have serious issues to solve in our societies. How do we have those conversations?

 

[jason30]

@Judee,
I tried taking selegiline and bupropion (separately). I only felt worse. So it doesn't seem to be the case with dopamine.

How can you be sure? Bupropion is an antidepressiva and selegiline inhibits MAO.
The dopamine which you get from social interaction, new things etc is working differently?

I am facing the exact same thing.
I don't believe it's a need of attention of people. In my case, it's the need of connection. We have lost our connection to the world/people and with ourselves because of our chronic illness. We all need connection.

Apart from that, dopamine plays a big role for me, especially since I have COMT ++.
Apart form COMT++ I have this limbic system problem, I constantly lean towards the flight and fight response (COMT++ contributes to it as well). Because of this I start soon with a a brain retraining program to calm down my system (DNRS).

 

[yurybx]

@jason30, so you have increased COMT activity? Are you taking any COMT inhibitors?

 

[valentinelynx]

Currently find that this ME brain just cannot process the competing conversations typical of social events and engagement. Or I'm watching the news and husband starts talking to me. He can tune all that out, I cannot. I just go: blank. OVERLOAD SWITCH ON.

Yes, I agree with this. I cannot stand trying to listen to someone talk when there is competing noise, especially if it is voices. The worst for me is on an airplane, if the flight attendant or pilot is talking through the PA system, and my husband tries to talk to me, it is extremely irritating, and I cannot follow what he is saying. So, I tell him to please stop talking until the announcement is over. Of course, planes have a lot of other loud background noise already. It's really a worst care scenario.

 

[jason30]

@jason30, so you have increased COMT activity? Are you taking any COMT inhibitors?

I speed it up with BCAA's.
I avoid COMT inhibitors because with COMT++ the COMT enzyme works slow and thus less COMT activity.

 

[valentinelynx]

Hysterical personality disorder - I think this is not about me. The fact is that being in the company of people, I feel uncomfortable and feel like running away.

No, I don't think it applies to you, either. I only mention it because you asked about a medical term for attention-seeking. I don't think you are attention seeking. Maybe attention starved? Hmm, that reminds me of some AMSR videos I was recently looking at... AMSR is a weird thing I'd never heard of until very recently, where people get scalp tingles and such (different from goosebumps) from watching or listening to certain sights and sounds). Not sure what to think of it. Some of the videos emphasize intense personal attention, as if the person in the video is focused entirely on you. I wonder if you would find such videos appealing? Here's some examples:

ASMR Video Haircut

ASMR "Tingle Diagnostic Test"

 

[yurybx]

@jason30, sorry for my incomprehensibility, what do you mean by COMT ++? Is this a gene in your genome or is it some kind of medicine?

 

[Mama Bear]

The positive interactions distracted you from the pain and other negative symptoms you usually experience. My daughter's physical therapist does this with her and explained it to me once as my daughter was walking on the treadmill and the student therapist was talking to her and asking her questions about school and friends. She said if they can keep her distracted by talking about topics of interest she'll be distracted from the fact that she's walking on a treadmill and her legs were hurting ten minutes ago. I see this also with my daughter when I take her into Hobby Lobby, she'll be half asleep in the car feeling like crap on the way there but once inside the store she lights up and walks every inch of the store dreaming up every craft she wants to eventually create.

Positive distractions are great. I'm not sure exactly how or why they work but they do. I don't know as laymen that we necessarily need to know the exact chemical reaction that occurs in the brain when this type of positive result occurs. Unless we are specifically looking to replicate the effect with medication, which may or may not ever be possible. I've read that there has been really positive results with the use of virtual reality devices on relieving the pain of burn victims through distraction. Maybe video games would be something you could try.

 

[nyanko_the_sane]

Positive distractions are great. I'm not sure exactly how or why they work but they do.

Yes it works quite well. For some it is music, for others it is social interaction. So long as you can stay focused on something, pain and discomfort can be overcome. We need to learn every little trick to get by.

 

[Judee]

what do you mean by COMT ++? Is this a gene in your genome

COMT does refer to genes and that is what that video in my comment above is about COMT, MAO, and dopamine. It might be helpful to you.

 

[2Cor.12:19]

I suspect that my depression and perhaps even my CFS are the result of a mental disorder, which is the need for attention from another person. It can be a friend, woman, coach or colleague.

This might seem too simplistic of an answer, but no man is an island and people need other people. It's normal to desire companionship, friendship, and validation. The Bible is loaded with proverbs about this.

"'Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. "Ecclesiastes 4:9