If you continuously post I’m lonely, I’m depressed yet don’t make an effort to seek help. Does that mean some people like to dwell on being sad?

I have a number of theories about this.
Firstly they are either in such a deep rut that they cant get out. However they need to tell the world that they are depressed and lonely.
Secondly. They like playing the sympathy and pathetic card because they think it will give them the attention seeking they crave for.
Thirdly, they are looking for someone to save them.

They don't realise that their constant misery and desperation actually drives people away.

To those that behave this way... if you want to change your life it starts and ends with you.

I think some are genuine. I've dealt with it for years. Depression and loneliness is not something that's easy to get out of. One can be surrounded by people often, yet still be lonely. One may not feel genuine connections with people...I could go on but I'll stop here.

When you're in that head space for a while, it can tend to get comfortable. Dangerously so.
Even if you are able to imagine something better, you break it apart in your head and convince yourself it can't possibly be done.
It takes a lot of work.

As some one who has been suicidally depressed in the past and posting about my plight on these sites I did so because it helped me to vent myself, and it was helpful to hear things along the lines of “stock with it”, or “I’m sorry to hear that you’re so depressed”. With time I have stopped, but it doesn’t mean I feel Ilan better about myself. I’m antidepressants now so I don’t feel depressed as often.

Not necessarily. I mean depression is something that you can't just snap out of. Some do it for attention,but others just can't help it. Posting it over and over again is a coping mechanism.. it is just venting for mose people and it can help. I stopped posting certain things because often times people would assume that I was attention seeking or happy that I felt sad. When you have nobody to talk to you have to let it out somehow otherwise you will drive yourself into the nut house. I am at one of the happiest places in my life right now yet I feel empty and sometimes lonely.I wouldn't say they or I want attention... they just want someone to really give a damn... to care and I feel wanting attention and wanting someone to care are two different things.

Well it is fairly self indulgent and unattractive

I personally believe they're often lonely but lack the social skills for an interaction beyond the one where they complain and other people offer a nodding acknowledgement to their posts

Maybe they are just crying out for help.Maybe hoping someone will say the right thing.

i'm going on seance for farting celebrity jokes.