Could this simply be attention seeking behavior?!
Question: Could this simply be attention seeking behavior!?
We have a family member who got caught stealing prescription pain medication from other family members and friends!. The thief denied stealing, and when all the evidence was presented and he could no longer deny it, he "kind of" tried to commit suicide!.
BUT -- he left a very dramatic note, took his cell phone AND the charger, packed a bag with clothes, toiletries and the stolen pain medication, went to a liquor store and got plenty of booze, checked himself into a motel, ordered a pizza, waited until midnight when his accusers were all in bed and fast asleep, then proceeded to call all of them and in a drunken stupor say "I'm okay !.!.!.!. I'm okay"!.
Does this sound like an attempted suicide or just a way to deflect attention from the crime of theft!? All the other family members are walking on eggshells right now, feeling guilty about pushing him too far and I seem to be the only who is saying BS on all of it!.
The irony of it is this family member was taken to the hospital by the Sheriff's department!. It took over 12 hours for his blood alcohol level to return to normal so he could get counseled by the social workers!. If he had taken all of the muscle relaxers and pain pills that were in his bottles, he probably would have indeed committed suicide!.
Yesterday I was concerned, but today when I learned about the cell phone, the packed bag, the motel and pizza I feel used and angry!. He was supposed to be checked into rehab today -- but now the family is backing out!. I think it is pure and simple manipulation and attention seeking behavior!. Would you agree!? Is there something I am missing!? Or am I being cold hearted!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
BUT -- he left a very dramatic note, took his cell phone AND the charger, packed a bag with clothes, toiletries and the stolen pain medication, went to a liquor store and got plenty of booze, checked himself into a motel, ordered a pizza, waited until midnight when his accusers were all in bed and fast asleep, then proceeded to call all of them and in a drunken stupor say "I'm okay !.!.!.!. I'm okay"!.
Does this sound like an attempted suicide or just a way to deflect attention from the crime of theft!? All the other family members are walking on eggshells right now, feeling guilty about pushing him too far and I seem to be the only who is saying BS on all of it!.
The irony of it is this family member was taken to the hospital by the Sheriff's department!. It took over 12 hours for his blood alcohol level to return to normal so he could get counseled by the social workers!. If he had taken all of the muscle relaxers and pain pills that were in his bottles, he probably would have indeed committed suicide!.
Yesterday I was concerned, but today when I learned about the cell phone, the packed bag, the motel and pizza I feel used and angry!. He was supposed to be checked into rehab today -- but now the family is backing out!. I think it is pure and simple manipulation and attention seeking behavior!. Would you agree!? Is there something I am missing!? Or am I being cold hearted!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
All he did seem to go far beyond mere attention-seeking behavior, in my opinion!. I believe, on the contrary, that he was really ashamed by himself and fell into some sort of erratic behavior owing to an overwhelming feeling of despair!.
I wouldn't blame him that much, if I were you, and I would try to talk with him about this problem of drug consumption!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
I wouldn't blame him that much, if I were you, and I would try to talk with him about this problem of drug consumption!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
I agree with you!. It was an attention getter, it obviously worked!. He should be in rehab, and also getting some sort of counseling!. Even though Im sure he had no real intentions of killing himself, he is still stealing from his family, something is wrong somewhere!. It sounds more like a drug problem thoughWww@Answer-Health@Com
Yes, no one wants to have their loved one in a mental hospital!. It may remind them of those horrible movies how someone was mistreated!.
Though, there are out patient treatment centers!. Where they go for an hour session!. I think you should encourage him to do that, or call the Sheriff's office to get them evicted!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Though, there are out patient treatment centers!. Where they go for an hour session!. I think you should encourage him to do that, or call the Sheriff's office to get them evicted!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
He certainly needs help, but do NOT allow him to make you feel guilty!.
He is being selfish, and mental illness or not, he does not have a right to behave that way!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
He is being selfish, and mental illness or not, he does not have a right to behave that way!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I don't know if you can call it attention seeking, but I do know that one universal trait of addiction is manipulation!. I don't think knowing that should lessen your compassion and empathy for him, but I think that knowledge can let you see just how much that person needs professional help!. Have you and your other family members considered attending Al-anon or Nar-Anon meetings!?
http://nar-anon!.org/index!.html
http://www!.al-anon!.alateen!.org/
If nothing else you can get support literature at their sites!. Good Luck & God Bless!Www@Answer-Health@Com
http://nar-anon!.org/index!.html
http://www!.al-anon!.alateen!.org/
If nothing else you can get support literature at their sites!. Good Luck & God Bless!Www@Answer-Health@Com
He needs help,
Whether or not this was for attention or really was an attempted suicide!.!.
He still needs to seek help!. This is a serious problem because he is a danger to himself and others!.
He showed lack in judgment for his own health and safety by taking all those pain meds and alcohol and that is purely unacceptable!. Your family needs to realize that even thought they may feel bad about sending him somewhere!.!.!.!.!. How bad are they going to feel when he finally goes all the way!? Knowing that they could have gotten him help!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Whether or not this was for attention or really was an attempted suicide!.!.
He still needs to seek help!. This is a serious problem because he is a danger to himself and others!.
He showed lack in judgment for his own health and safety by taking all those pain meds and alcohol and that is purely unacceptable!. Your family needs to realize that even thought they may feel bad about sending him somewhere!.!.!.!.!. How bad are they going to feel when he finally goes all the way!? Knowing that they could have gotten him help!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I agree with you!. Must be this family member is not a person whom should be left alone in anyone's house!. Lay some ground rules or you will get police involved!. I think he's just trying to manipulate others into thinking he is worse off than they think so he won't have to be accountable for the theivery!. Be blunt, be direct and don't tolerate this behavior!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Please, Please don't think that this is attention seeking behavior!. He is very sick and needs help!. He could easily have died and in the state he was in he didn't really care!. The crisis did cause him to mentally go off into a severe depression!. He isn't playing games please do not back off from him!. Get him into rehab!. His life is really in danger!. I am so sorry that you, your family and he are in this troubled time!. But his life is worth everything that you can put into it to help him!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
It could have been a suicide attempt!.!.!.!.!.I wouldnt automatically assume he's lying!. As family I think you should be there for him and get him a therapist!. And even if he does have a drug problem, you should still get him help!. He's still family, you should still treat him like it, even if he stole from you!. He's obviously going through some tough times!. I hope I helped, good luck!!Www@Answer-Health@Com