What Is Histrionic Personality Disorder?
Some people are more extroverted than others, which can manifest as enjoying being the center of attention and having a big personality. However, when someone requires attention to the point that they regularly exaggerate or invent situations to get more of it and display excessive emotions often, it could be a sign that a mental health condition like histrionic personality disorder is at play. Read on to learn more about other symptoms of this disorder as well as causes and treatment options.
What are personality disorders?
Personality disorders are “conditions in which an individual differs significantly from an average person in terms of how they think, perceive, feel, or relate to others”. People with personality disorders often have trouble managing emotions and may exhibit odd behavior, both of which can make forming and/or maintaining relationships difficult. Personality disorders are often comorbid with other mental health issues, such as depression or substance use disorders. They’re often grouped into categories or “clusters” according to similarities in how they manifest. Histrionic personality disorder is classified as a “cluster B” disorder, along with antisocial personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Each of these is characterized by difficulties relating to others and often-volatile behavior.
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What is histrionic personality disorder?
People with this disorder tend to be extremely enthusiastic, open, flirtatious, and loving, though they may experience anger or sadness in excess as well. They’re unlikely to feel a sense of embarrassment when they display these in excess or in inappropriate situations, but those around them may. Other signs of this disorder can include:
- Needing to be the center of attention
- Discomfort or anxiety around not being the center of attention or being ignored
- Needing approval or reassurance
- Easily influenced by the thoughts and opinions of others
- Overly seductive/sexual behavior
- Emotional states that may transition quickly and without warning
- Excessive concern with personal appearance
- Excessive displays of different emotions
- Difficulty forming or maintaining intimate relationships, as they may come across as fake or shallow
- Symptoms causing distress and affecting the personal and/or professional life of the individual
This personality disorder is fairly rare, estimated to affect around two to three percent of the population. Women are four times more likely to be diagnosed with HPD than men. However, researchers suggest that this may simply be due to the fact that sexually forward behavior is less socially acceptable for women, and that the disorder may actually appear in men and women with equal frequency. Onset typically begins in late adolescence or early adulthood, which is generally the case with most personality disorders. The cause of HPD is not fully understood, but genetics likely play a role. The experience of childhood trauma and/or an over-indulgent parenting style that lacked boundaries may also contribute to the development of this disorder in an individual.
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Diagnosis and treatment of HPD
Receiving a diagnosis of HPD may involve a few different steps. First, it may be worthwhile to meet with your doctor for an examination to rule out any potential physical cause of your symptoms. Next, you’ll likely be encouraged to meet with a mental health professional for a clinical evaluation to assess your symptoms and narrow down the possible causes.
For a person who receives a diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder, treatment typically involves some form of psychotherapy—sometimes in tandem with medication to help manage symptoms. Psychodynamic therapy in particular is a common choice, as it focuses on drawing the client’s awareness to unconscious processes that may be influencing their behavior so they can adjust them. Through this or other therapy modalities, providers can help individuals with HPD improve their self-esteem, develop constructive coping skills for strong emotions, and learn to observe healthy boundaries. Through this type of treatment, they may be eventually able to experience less frequent emotional distress and more stable relationships.
Seeking support for symptoms of HPD
Those who are experiencing symptoms of HPD and are interested in speaking with a mental health professional about them can typically choose the therapeutic format with which they feel most comfortable. For those who would prefer to meet with someone in an office setting, traditional in-person therapy sessions may be best. For those who don’t have access to reliable transportation, have a busy schedule, can’t locate a provider in their area, or simply feel more comfortable meeting with someone online, virtual therapy options may be worth considering. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can get matched with a licensed therapist with whom you can meet via phone, video call, and/or online chat. Research suggests that internet CBT can be an effective treatment for psychiatric disorders, so most individuals can choose the format that feels right for them.
Takeaway
What are three symptoms of histrionic personality?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria listed by the National Institutes of Health, three symptoms of histrionic personality disorder may include:
- Dramatic or exaggerated emotions
- A constant need for attention
- Seductive or provocative behavior, sometimes bordering on the inappropriate
In addition, the DSM-5 identifies other symptoms, including the use of appearance to draw attention, shifting and shallow emotions, suggestibility, impressionistic and vague speech, and an overestimation of relationship intimacy. In order to have histrionic personality disorder diagnosed, a mental health professional would typically need to see the presence of five or more of these symptoms. Once diagnosed, a professional may treat histrionic personality disorder with a variety of approaches, including talk therapy and certain types of medication.
What are the triggers for histrionic personality disorder?
While a single situation or experience may not cause HPD, there are risk factors involved that may increase the chances someone will develop histrionic personality disorder. These may include:
- Co-occurring, previous experience of, or susceptibility to disorders like anxiety, depression, and somatic symptom disorder
- Specific parenting styles, particularly permissive or neglectful parenting
- Frequent contact with someone experiencing histrionic personality disorder during childhood
Certain situations may also exacerbate symptoms. For example, those with histrionic personality disorder tend to feel uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention. If they do not feel they are getting enough attention, they may be prone to dramatic emotional outbursts.
What is an example of a histrionic personality disorder?
While examples of histrionic personality disorder (HPD) can vary, individuals experiencing this disorder may display certain consistent symptoms. These may include attention-seeking behaviors such as over-dramatic or theatrical displays of emotion. This attention-seeking behavior could also involve having explosive reactions to a specific subject, even if they are not especially affected by what is being discussed.
Another example of HPD behavior is inappropriate sexual flirtation. In order to gain more attention, a person with severe histrionic personality disorder may engage in seduction in a way that could make other individuals uncomfortable. In some cases, these individuals will flirt with others for the express purpose of gaining approval or “performing” for those around them, even if they have no actual interest in the subject of their flirtation.
What are two characteristics of histrionic personality disorder?
While multiple characteristics may be associated with histrionic personality disorder, two common traits may be a need for attention and poor emotional control. Individuals experiencing HPD may feel as though they need to be the focus of any event and may act in a theatrical manner or change their physical appearance in order to gain the attention of those around them. In addition, these individuals may display shallow emotions that can change at a rapid pace or be subject to outbursts that may not match their actual feelings about a specific situation.
Are histrionics narcissists?
Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) can have a number of similar symptoms, including a need for attention, a tendency to manipulate others, and unpredictable behavior. However, these two disorders are distinct, each with its own set of diagnostic criteria.
One major difference is the difference in empathic ability. While Individuals with NPD often have little or no ability to feel empathy, those with HPD are typically capable of understanding or caring about the feelings of others (though they may still find it challenging). Those with HPD may also be prone to grand displays of emotion, while individuals with NPD typically have less range when expressing emotion (except when they can be used for purposes of manipulation.)
Does histrionics get worse with age?
Research suggests that personality disorders like HPD may decline in prevalence with increasing age. However, it may be possible for histrionic personality disorder symptoms to worsen if a person does not seek treatment. In many cases, talk therapy is one of the most effective ways to have histrionic personality disorder treated, as therapy can help an individual identify the behaviors associated with their disorder. A therapist may also help individuals find coping mechanisms that can help to reduce their symptom severity or address challenges that may be causing them to have difficulty maintaining relationships.
Am I histrionic or borderline?
The only way to determine whether you are experiencing histrionic personality disorder (HPD) or borderline personality disorder (BPD) is through a professional diagnosis. This is typically done by a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. However, there are a few key differences one may look for between these two disorders. One of these differences is the motivation behind certain behaviors. For example, emotional outbursts for those with HPD are often caused by a need for attention, while emotional outbursts for those with BPD may be caused by a fear of abandonment.
What happens when you ignore a histrionic?
Because people with histrionic personality disorder (HPD) often need attention to avoid feelings of discomfort, ignoring them may lead to erratic behavior or distress. This could, in turn, cause a person with HPD to engage in impulsive behavior, either to regain your attention or garner the attention of others. In some cases, it may be better to discuss your feelings with a person living with HPD or seek the assistance of mental health professionals. For example, for those with HPD partners, it may be helpful to find a couples or marriage counselor.
What is the difference between histrionic and narcissistic?
One key difference between those experiencing histrionic personality disorder (HPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is the type of attention they seek. While individuals with either disorder require the attention of others, those with HPD may look for any type of attention, whether it be positive or negative. In order to get it, they will put on theatrical displays that may involve inappropriate sexual behavior or emotional outbursts. Those with NPD, on the other hand, will typically only look for positive attention and may react negatively to negative (or a lack of) attention from others.
Do histrionics have empathy?
Individuals experiencing histrionic personality disorder (HPD) can have empathy, though they may struggle with recognizing or caring for the emotions of others. In many cases, a person with HPD will be preoccupied with their own emotional displays and may not notice how someone else is feeling. In addition, those with HPD may feel that the emotions of others could pull focus away from them, which may cause them to feel uncomfortable. Instead, they will typically be overly concerned with their own struggles, which may make it difficult to maintain friendships or romantic partnerships.
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