People require attention for various reasons and throughout various times of their lives. Newborns and infants need attention to thrive and develop. Children need it to develop social skills and prevent any potential harm from coming to them. The elderly need interaction and attention to prevent boredom and provide companionship or personal care. People suffering from an illness or any medical or mental affliction, often require attention to help them recover.
The importance of attention is subjective. People need attention to satisfy a wide range of emotional needs. Some people need attention to feel loved. Others need attention to feel empowered. When people need attention for emotional reasons, there could be an underlying reason, such as a dependency issue.
Some people require more attention than others. When a person seeks attention from others and will do almost anything to achieve it, he may be referred to as an attention seeker. Some experts believe this may be due to insecurity. For example, a person who feels insecure in a relationship may seek constant attention from a partner.
Children or teenagers who feel insecure about their abilities or physical appearance may seek attention in a negative way. Acting out in class, being disobedient at home, or dressing in an unacceptable manner may signify attention-seeking behavior. For certain people, drawing attention to themselves is the only way to feel accepted.
It is not uncommon for children to demand attention from a parent. A child who is raised in a family of several children may feel neglected or ignored. The child may crave extra attention at times, especially if he feels he is living in a sibling's shadow. Similarly, if a parent's career leaves little time for his child, the child may crave attention and display undesirable behavior in an effort to receive it.
Children and adults who have been physically or emotionally abused by family members or peers may need extra attention. Those who have been put down or ridiculed may seek attention and approval from others. The attention they receive from others may help boost confidence.
Someone may require attention to help him cope physically, such as an invalid who is unable to care for himself. Some people need attention to help them recover from a serious illness. If a person has a medical condition that requires round-the-clock care, the patient will require medical attention to survive. Medical attention may be given by doctors, nurses, or caregivers.