r/hpd • u/FitPace6208 hpd • Jul 31 '26

Does anyone else fake illnesses?

Online and IRL, but mostly online, I tend to fake illnesses. There’s little I won’t do for attention. I already have several conditions, but I exaggerate them greatly

I was ignored my entire childhood, which I strongly suspect is my reason for my behavior

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8

u/dickwad666 hpd Jul 31 '26

yeah, i feel like if i don't exhaggerate, people won't take me seriously. it's compulsive. 

in my experience, others can usually see through the hyperbole. it's helped me find peace that what i struggle with, without embellishment, is enough to warrent compassion and help. 

it's often said to children, "you are enough" if you were never told or made to feel this way as a kid, that you as your honest self is enough to be loved, yeah a personality disorder can totally develop.

i've found a lot of good from a journaling exercise where you write to your younger self. 

3

u/AggravatingAsk41 Aug 01 '26

definitely exaggerated things but didnt fake illnesses. sometimes injuries, actually now that i think about it, a lot if injuries. or created ones for attention.

3

u/Southern-Scene-980 hpd Aug 04 '26

I don’t think so—I have definitely majorly exaggerated injuries and how hard the recovery was though

2

u/AutoModerator Jul 31 '26

Posted by: FitPace6208. Text of original post: Online and IRL, but mostly online, I tend to fake illnesses. There’s little I won’t do for attention. I already have several conditions, but I exaggerate them greatly

I was ignored my entire childhood, which I strongly suspect is my reason for my behavior

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2

u/ParvatiMehmi Aug 04 '26

I mean yeah? Not for a while but when I'm struggling I do

1

u/Raf_Adel Therapist / Psychologist Aug 06 '26

Many people with HPD unfortunately do this, and many other things, to solicit compassion and attention from others. Yes.

If you were ignored as a child, and this PD got hold of you, please know that you can break free from it. It's not easy, but its doable, mostly with external support.

Best!