HISTRIONIC PERSONALITY DISORDER
A histrionic personality disorder is a psychological condition marked by a pattern of constant attention seeking, emotional overreaction, or an overwhelming desire to be noticed.
- A histrionic personality disorder is one of a group of conditions called dramatic personality disorders.
- People with a histrionic personality disorder can seem highly dramatic and approval seeking, they may also exhibit sexually provocative behavior, make loud and inappropriate appearances and can be easily influenced by others.
- The condition is four times more common in women than in men and affects 2-3% of the general population.
- The condition develops during adolescence and can have a negative impact on the ability to function in social, occupational or academic settings, therefore, an individual with this condition may have problems doing well at school or maintaining employment later in life.
CAUSES
The cause of the disorder is unknown. It is believed that genetics and childhood events may both be involved.
Factors that may influence the disorder may include:
- Psychological styles and ways a child learn to cope with stress while growing up
- A lack of punishment or criticism as a child
- Exposure to one or multiple traumatic occurrences of a close friend or family member leaving either by abandonment or death
SYMPTOMS
A person with a histrionic personality disorder may:
- Constantly seeking reassurance or approval/attention
- Dress provocatively or display inappropriate seductive behavior
- Blame personal failure or disappointment on others
- Be uncomfortable in situations where they are not the center of attention
- Use physical appearance to gain attention
- Shift emotional rapidly
- Be easily influenced by others especially those who treat them approvingly
- Be very dramatic and emotional
- Make rash decisions
- Consider relationships to be more intimate than they actually are
- Show emotion that is vague, shallow and rapidly changing
- Show excessive sensitivity to criticism or disapproval
- Have a low tolerance for frustration or delayed gratification
- Threaten in an attempt to get attention
- Be self-centered and rarely show concerns for others
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
A person’s behavior, appearance, history, and physical evaluation are usually enough to make a diagnosis.
Psychiatrist and psychologist use different diagnostic tools to evaluate a person for a personality disorder. This may include criteria set by different bodies including the World Health Organization, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder.
The previous edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM IV-TR defines histrionic personality disorder as characterized by five or more of the following
- Is uncomfortable in situations in which he or she is not the center of attention
- Interactions with others are often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior
- Display rapidly shifting or shallow expression of emotions
- Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self
- Considers relationship to be more intimate than they actually are
- Is easily influenced by others or circumstances
- Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail
- Shows self-dramatization and exaggerated expression of emotion
TREATMENT
The recommended form of treatment for histrionic personality disorder is psychotherapy. The aim of treatment is to help the individual uncover the fear behind his/her thoughts and behavior and to help them learn to relate with others in a more positive way.
Treatment is often prompted by depression associated with a failed romantic relationship. Depression can be treated with medications but medication does not help with the disorder