I have anorexia, they say it's basically like this, but in disorder form. Some theorize that it's a "cry for help" due to trauma made manifest – for example, one theory goes, that you never feel safe enough in your environment to eat, and humans waaaay back would only be able to sit and eat if they felt good and safe in their location (eg. no predators, good climate), so something in your own modern environment such as stress or trauma makes you feel unable to eat and that the only thing you can control and feel good and safe about is your consumption. So, manifesting in weight loss to the extrem, there's the "cry for help".
I guess so, then. It's not attention seeking in a bad way. We were communal and relied on one another for so much of human history. It's natural to depend on our fellow man. It's simply innate. We are social by nature.
It's especially true for females. They tend to use, on the whole, less fatal methods than men, despite attempting at higher rates. (Women are more likely to show vulnerability, whereas men aren't. Also access to methods, etc., but yes, there is a social element to it for sure.)
Sorry to get all psychological about it. It's my interest.
But don't feel invalidated. This is very normal and nothing is wrong with it. (Thank you for living longer. It's nice to see you.)
