I believe some people want someone to listen to them and show them empathy. Some people want to be the center of attention or simply just want to be seen as pitiful and in need of help. Others continuously say they are sick or ill to avoid their responsibilities or get someone to do things for them because they don't want to do it.
The cognitive factors that pertain to a person taking on a sick role are circumstances, perception, and reasoning, and behaviors such as restlessness and impulsiveness. We are most likely to feel pain during our emotions such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Attention is another way of how we are likely to feel pain by