Granddaughter seeks attention
Advice from Kenneth G. Alexander

Q. My granddaughter is 20 years old; well educated, very quiet, and isn't sociable at all. She is extremely addicted to attention, (not sexual attention) she lies about her accomplishments and purposely gets herself in trouble with authority figures (mostly the police).

I've had a talk with her and she tells me she is addictive to attention and when she doesn't get it she becomes extremely depressed even suicidal. She says when she does get it it's never enough and she has to have more.

She said she even daydreams about her getting attention somehow and is afraid she'll go to extreme lengths to get it one day. I'm really worried about her.

Can you tell me what type of disorder these symptoms fall under? Is there treatment for this type of addiction?

A. Unfortunately, the symptoms you supplied can cover a variety of psychological problems.

One thing appears very clear however; your granddaughter needs to be evaluated by a mental health specialist.

Any individual who exhibits suicidal behavior (albeit verbally instead of physically), an intervention by professionals is always necessary.