just because you've been there, and it was real, doesn't preclude the fact that there are plenty of people who will attention-seek for the fun, yes FUN of it, or because they're bored. Some people have genuine mental health problems. I've been one of them too. And some people are immature pains in the bum who have no mental health problem. Both are bloody difficult to deal with. As the title here indicates, while outwardly you should always maintain respect, and if you are a care professional you should provide appropriate care, information and referrals... it's difficult not to inwardly feel frustrated, annoyed and so on, and you have to let that not interfere with your professionalism. Especially when you've seen genuine cases, and you've seen people trying it on, and you have a guess that this person doesn't fall on the "genuine" side of the line.