Is there a way of distinguishing between depression and attention seeking. I also note the questions in the questionair reference symptoms similar to ADD..... feeling blue or down being the exception. I know that there are a wide spectrum of manifestations of ADD, with many cross over symptoms. Where I am going with this, is, I know a young man who made a lame attempt at suicide. ( please understand, I do not regard any attempt, as trivial) how do you define the difference, when the person is also very much in need of attention. This individual lost his mother to cancer a couple of years ago....and when it is close to a family holiday, or his Father appears to be interested in another woman, there is a crisis. He has been on medication for depression, but as it often happens....when he feels better he stops taking his meds. I believe he probably has chemical depression, but he seems to bring on these crises at will. The Dad is torn between feeling manipulated, and his concern for his son s well being.