The Psychology Behind Sadfishing: Cry For Help Or Publicity Stunt?

The Psychology Behind Sadfishing Cry For Help Or Publicity Stunt 1

Do you know someone who exaggerates their problems on social media? According to trends this behavior is called sadfishing.

Like catfishing where someone creates a fake persona or pretends to be someone else entirely on the internet; those who sadfish amplify their emotional troubles so that others may feel sorry for them or pay attention to them.

What is Sadfishing?

sadfishing

Depression, personality disorders and narcissism are among the many identified roots of sadfishing, according to studies. However, it is mostly done by those who struggle with loneliness and low self-esteem. They post on social media about feeling worthless and unloved. Their posts garner numerous comments expressing concern and support.

Related: Need For Attention: Why Are Narcissists Obsessed With Attention?

However, they often reject practical advice or solutions offered by their friends. They continue to post similar content, seeking validation repeatedly.

5 Sadfishing Examples

Below are some of the sadfishing examples to help you understand the difference between genuine cries for help and attention-seeking behaviors.

1. The Cryptic Post: “I’m feeling so alone right now“

This kind of post is quite vague but it’s intended that people will respond to it with worried comments and messages.

2. Overly Dramatic Instagram Stories: “My life is falling apart, I can’t take it anymore!”

These types of posts by sadfishing adults or teens often overstate real problems or even make up fake ones just to get reactions from people.

3. Posting Distressing Images or Quotes: Sharing distressing images, quotes, or videos without proper context, intending to gain sympathy.

4. False Illness Claims: “I got diagnosed with a serious illness. I can’t believe this is happening to me.”

Some people pretend they have health problems in order to gain attention and compassion from others.

5. Constant Victim Mentality: Always playing the victim card and never seeking solutions or taking responsibility for one’s actions.

Sadfishing does not merely seek support, but attention, and sometimes without any reason. Those who are emotionally distressed need compassion and care; but sadfishing capitalizes on feelings to serve oneself.

Attention-seeking sadfishing adults do these things:

1. Requesting validation: Always looking for approval and comfort from others.

2. Disregarding solutions: Ignoring workable fixes or suggestions given by other people.

3. Performing repeatedly: Posting about the same concerns over and over again without attempting to find genuine aid.

4. Inventing problems: Creating or magnifying issues in order to catch notice.

The Impact of Sadfishing

Sadfishing can lead to a number of negative effects:

  • Desensitization: Frequent exposure to hyperbolic emotional pain may dull sensitivity and compassion in individuals.
  • Attention drain: In the midst of too many fake or overdone cries for help, genuine ones may go unheeded.
  • Trust issues: Mutual trust within online communities can be eroded when individuals start doubting each other’s genuineness about their problems.
  • More stigma on mental health: This move only serves to worsen the perception surrounding psychological disorders hence making it more difficult for those affected to seek proper medication.

How To Handle Sadfishing?

1. Be Real: Share your emotions honestly, do not overdo it or make them up.

2. Find Genuine Solutions: If you are having a hard time, reach out to real friends and family members or even professionals for assistance.

3. Don’t Overshare: Not every single one of your battles should be taken to social media. Think about how this might affect both yourself and others.

4. Show Empathy: Offer help to other people that may need it but think critically about whether their stories are true or not.

Sadfishing blurs the line between genuine emotions and attention-seeking behavior. While seeking support online is common and sometimes necessary, it’s crucial to be mindful of how we communicate our struggles.

Related: Attention Seeking Behavior In Adults: Common Reasons And How To Deal

Remember, it’s okay not to be okay, but it’s equally important to seek help responsibly and support others sincerely.

What is sadfishing according to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

sadfishing

— Share —

,
, , , , , , ,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

Are You Stuck in Victim Mentality? 6 Best Things To Do To Get Unstuck!

Are You Stuck in Victim Mentality? Way To Get Unstuck!

Are you feeling trapped in a cycle of blame and helplessness? That’s the tricky grip of victim mentality—it keeps you stuck, believing life is happening to you, not for you. But don’t worry—breaking free is possible, and it starts with a few powerful mindset shifts.

When it comes to shadow work, trauma healing, and personal development, it all starts with awareness. The vast majority of your thoughts are happening on a subconscious level, meaning outside of your awareness.

This is true for all of us, yet these subconscious thoughts shape most of our cycles, habits, perceptions, limiting beliefs, and overall experiences. Observing how the overall energy of your life feels will reveal the quality of your subconscious thoughts.

So, if you are stuck in a victim mentality, you might

Up Next

What Is Selective Empathy? 7 Signs Your Empathy Might Be Biased

Selective Empathy? Signs Your Empathy Is Biased

Have you ever been in situations where you have felt that empathy is not being evenly or fairly shared? That’s what selective empathy is actually, and it might be more common than you think.

We often believe we’re compassionate, but sometimes, without even realizing it, we’re only empathetic towards certain people or situations. It’s a subtle behavior that can affect relationships, leaving some feeling unseen.

In this article, we are going to talk about what is selective empathy, the signs of selective empathy, and how to be more empathetic.

Related:

Up Next

The Winter Arc Challenge: 10 Steps To Becoming Your ‘Best’ Version

Winter Arc Rules To Become Your Best Version

Winter is here, and in it comes the temptation of cozying up, indulging in comfort food. But what if I told you that you can turn this season into a personal growth spurt instead? Take a look at the Winter Arc; a 90 day challenge that helps you achieve your goals before the new year even starts!

So What Is Winter Arc Meaning?

If you’re wondering “what is winter arc meaning?”, then we’ve got some insights f

Up Next

How to Stop Oversharing: 8 Easy Tricks for Staying Mysterious

How to Stop Oversharing: Hacks for Keeping Your Secrets Safe

We’ve all been there. You’re chatting away, telling a friend about your crazy weekend, and then—oops—you realize you just dropped way too much personal info. You’ve probably overshared more times than you’d like to admit. Now you are thinking, how to stop oversharing?

Whether you’re spilling the beans at work or on a first date, we are going to talk about learning the art of self control, signs you are oversharing, and most importantly, how to stop oversharing.

So, are you ready to stop overloading people with TMI? Let’s dive in!

Related:

Up Next

How to Read a Person Like a Book: 10 Simple Techniques

How To Instantly Read a Person Like a Pro: Clever Hacks

Have you ever wished you could easily read a person the moment you meet them? Whether it’s for work, friendships, or relationships, being able to understand someone quickly can be a real game-changer.

The art of reading people isn’t some magical superpower—it’s a skill you can develop by paying attention to subtle cues. People give off signals through body language, tone, and behavior.

Once you know what to look for, you’ll start seeing patterns in how they think and feel. Let’s explore ten easy hacks that will help you master the art of reading people.

Related: Power-

Up Next

Caught in the Void: 10 Signs of an Existential Crisis and How to Cope

Signs of an Existential Crisis and How to Cope

Have you ever had a moment where life just doesn’t feel like it fits anymore? When the things that used to excite you now feel like empty rituals, and the world itself seems to have lost its color? Maybe you are going through an existential crisis.

It’s a sensation that creeps in quietly, yet hits you with a force that shakes the very core of your being. Everything you thought you knew about yourself, your purpose, and the world starts to unravel.

You begin to wonder, “What’s really going on here?” If this sounds all too familiar, you may be in the midst of a profound internal shift.

Let’s explore what is an existential crisis, it’s signs and the best ways when it comes to dealing with existential crisis.

Up Next

4 Zodiac Signs Trapped by False Hope And Unrealistic Dreams

Zodiac Signs Trapped by False Hope Unrealistic Dreams

We’ve all been there, holding on to a dream or expectation long after it’s clear it won’t come true. Sometimes, that glimmer of hope is hard to let go of, even when reality is staring us in the face. Below are 5 zodiac signs trapped by false hope, prone to clinging to unrealistic dreams.

These zodiac signs often find themselves stuck, waiting for something that might never happen. They are the ones who hold on to unrealistic dreams or expectations, even when they know deep down that the odds are slim.

— Follow Us —