Can we ban the word “needy” in the context of relationships? I’ve just been interviewed by ABC radio about my book, ‘Fake’, and the series based on it. Did the interviewer really have to say, in asking me a question, “you were needy” …? (As if I haven’t sufficiently bled on the page for all to see and opened my wounds time and again in interviews for all too look at!) Like, who isn’t needy in a relationship? Isn’t need the most natural human thing? Too often the word is used as a nasty, smug pejorative. And also, by relationship partners to absolve themselves of responsibility for poor behaviour and for a lack of commitment and care and love in the relationship (as in, “you’re too needy!). I call bullshit on the word.