I hate it when people will do anything for attention. There is something to be said about true depression/helplessness. There is also something to be said about those who place themselves in a position of wanton pity...parading around in a robe of discomfort...holding a magnifying glass up to the tear dripping from their eye. There are plenty of people who take on the wanna-be-goth culture and start listening to the Cure and writing bad poetry. There are plenty of people who break rules, but only in front of the one who made the rule. It is known that anyone with an obsessive problem will do anything to make him/herself feel better. An alcoholic will fill your glass, even if it's not empty, before filling his own glass...that way it looks like he's being generous. In reality, he's just making it seem less obvious that he's on his 9th glass. In the same way, so many people are willing to listen to a sad story...or read a truly heartfelt poem...but only so he/she can pretend to understand and tell his/her own story full of pain and anguish. More ego stroking. More blatant narcissism. I dated someone for a year and a half who blamed everything on manic-depression with a side of bi-polar. Can I super-size that please? Anyone who offers up their tales of anguish is only looking for a handout. Anyone who brings up how they used to cut is asking for attention. Anyone who shoves their deepest pain in your face isn't sincere. The true pain is only understood through close friendship and utter trust. I have stories that would make anyone do a double-take...so keep your self-served pain to yourself.