Under the supervision of the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Professor Dr. Sarmed H. Kathem Alkhateeb, the Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance Unit at the University of Baghdad/College of Pharmacy, held an in-person education workshop entitled “Abnormal Fondness of Being Noticed”, delivered by Lecturer Dr. Nawar Mikhael Toma, a faculty member at the Pharmaceutics Department. The workshop aimed to shed light on the concept of excessive attention-seeking, its psychological and social causes, and its impact on individuals and society. It also examined how social media amplifies this behavior and discussed strategies for prevention and treatment. The workshop included several topics, including the definition of abnormal fondness of being noticed and distinguishing it from self-confidence, the historical roots, psychological and social causes of this behavior, the motivations, manifestations, and behaviors associated with excessive attention-seeking, the role of social media in reinforcing such tendencies, the ethical and social consequences of excessive self-display, and strategies for prevention and treatment. The workshop concluded that an excessive need for attention becomes problematic when it dictates an individual’s behavior, leading them to share exaggerated or fabricated content to gain social recognition. This can contribute to psychological conditions such as narcissistic personality disorder and identity disturbances. The session emphasized the importance of raising awareness about these risks and promoting genuine, meaningful interactions over superficial validation.
