Histrionic personality disorder is a psychiatric condition that is characterized by an extreme emotionality and pattern of attention-seeking behaviors, which begins in early adulthood and is apparent under a variety of circumstances. In addition to emotional sensitivity and responsiveness, people with histrionic personality disorder exhibit an intense need to be in the spotlight, and often display a number of attention-seeking behaviors.
People with the disorder are uncomfortable or feel disregarded when not the focus of attention. The main difference is that NPD sufferers have an inflated sense of themselves, thinking others must admire or approve them, while LPD sufferers crave being in the spotlight. People with NPD expect to be liked because they have an inflated sense of self-worth, whereas people with HPD yearn for the general attention in order to avoid feelings of unease.
This can relate to empathy, since individuals with HPD are typically more able to experience empathy and may feel responsive toward others. While many people enjoy being in the spotlight, there are a few individuals who can adopt characteristics that are more outwardly appealing, as well as at a deeper level. A broad swath of individuals can receive the same diagnosis, even though they are incredibly diverse in their personalities and have varying experiences as individuals.
A persons physical appearance, behaviors, and history, together with psychological assessment, are generally enough to make a diagnosis. Although no laboratory tests are available specifically for diagnosing personality disorders, the physician may use a variety of diagnostic tests to rule out physical illnesses as causing symptoms. Because histrionic personality disorder may present symptoms that are similar to those of other mental disorders and medical conditions, the doctor would probably start by making a differential diagnosis to rule out other disorders or medical conditions that may be causing the symptoms. Psychologists can diagnose patients with personality disorders using a series of clinical interviews and questionnaires, such as the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID).
Many who are diagnosed with an HPD get their diagnosis after entering treatment for depression or anxiety, often following the end of a failed relationship or other personality conflicts. People with HPD can go to therapy for clinical depression when a romantic (or other intimate) relationship ends. People with histrionic personality disorder may seek treatment if depression–perhaps related to loss or the failure of a relationship–or other problems caused by their thoughts and behaviors make them feel distressed. The turbulent histrionic is highly emotional and volatile, leading to considerable clashes between the histrionic person and the people they are associated with.
This type can exhibit the characteristic histrionics of being ostensibly friendly and social, although they are susceptible to criticism, cannot tolerate disappointment, and are immature in society. Temperamental Histrionics combine traits of both histrionic and negative personalities. However, the similarities are greater than those with borderline, with the tempestuous personality being much more prone to displaying rapid, raw, and unmoderated emotions.
Superficial Emotions That Fluctuate Rapidly Someone With A Histrionic Personality Histrionic personalities may have consistent changes in mood, but they may also have changes in interests and emotions. Perhaps most problematic, Over time, the turbulent histrionic can grow less histrionic, more and more resentful and critical of others, displeased at others good fortune. They may behave to get the attention of others, and the relationships that have been in place for some time may suffer, because one is excited about engaging in a new relationship.
The difference is, when someone lives with personality disorders, these traits become behaviors that consistently appear in different situations, as well as cause interpersonal problems and distress for the individual. Personality traits are obvious features of personality, not necessarily pathological, though some styles of personality can lead to interpersonal problems. A personality disorder occurs when an individual develops a rigid, unyielding pattern of maladaptive thinking and behavior that substantially interferes with social or occupational functioning and can result in interpersonal distress.
While an individual experiencing depression or anxiety may generally recognize his symptoms and distinguish his or her normal self from his or her depressed/anxious self, an individual suffering from a personality disorder knows life through only the prism of this disorder. Whereas mood disorders such as depression or bipolar disorder are defined by traits and symptoms that tend to wax and wane, a personality disorder is more of a condition than a trait.
Personality reflects deep-rooted patterns of behavior, as well as how individuals perceive, relate to, and think about themselves and their world. Introduction Personality is the set of established patterns of behavior through which an individual connects with and makes sense of the world around him or her. People diagnosed with this disorder are said to be feisty, theatrical, lively, passionate, and flirtatious.
Typically, borderline personalities are marked by difficulties controlling emotions, as well as a tendency to behave in dramatic, unpredictable ways. Group and family therapy are usually discouraged because symptoms of histrionic personality disorder, such as seeking the attention of the group members and over-the-top symptoms, can be activated or exacerbated within a group setting. Group and family therapy can be used, but can sometimes have problems with attention-seeking behaviors by patients.
People with HPD frequently do not view their own personal situations in a realistic way, but rather they dramatize and exaggerate their difficulties. Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a personality disorder characterized by an excessive attention-seeking pattern, typically beginning early in life, that includes inappropriate sexual solicitation and excessive need for approval.