Do you or a loved one tend to react to things wildly? Do you find yourself or a loved one regularly mired in a dramatic, intense emotional response to things that don’t seem to upset most others? Has someone talked to you about this in the past? If so, it could be a sign of histrionic personality disorder.
There is a big difference between having personality quirks and bad days and a full-blown case of histrionic personality disorder, but if this has been going on for a while now and you really don’t know how to manage it, that could be a sign that it’s time to get some help.
There’s no shame whatsoever in suffering from a personality disorder. As you’ll see below, if this describes you or someone you love, you’re one of millions of people who deal with this challenge every day.
Today, we’re going to delve into a specific personality disorder known as histrionic personality disorder. Those who are struggling in this regard also tend to struggle mightily with everyday things like relationships, emotions and problems in their professional lives.
The good news is that the symptoms of histrionic personality disorder can be treated and in many cases managed. That all starts with a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Read on below to see if any of the information sounds familiar.
Histrionic Personality Disorder Defined
As alluded to above, there are several types of personality disorders. Histrionic personality disorder is part of a group of them known as Cluster B personality disorders.
Cluster B disorders leave people struggling to regulate their emotions and to express them calmly. People with this problem are often described as overly dramatic and intensely emotional. Moreover, their behavior and thinking can be unpredictable, leading others to be wary around them and even to avoid them.
Other Cluster B disorders include:
- Antisocial personality disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
Histrionic Personality Disorder Symptoms
HPD symptoms affect a person’s emotions and internal thoughts. These internal experiences influence a person’s behaviors. Examples of those behaviors appear below.
Unpredictably Shifting and Intense Emotions
HPD is characterized by intense emotions that can shift and swing rapidly. Even small frustrations can cause a massive and nearly instant change in a person’s mood.
Struggling Sense of Self-Worth
Most people have some level of innate, instinctive self-worth. Those with HPD do not. Someone with histrionic personality disorder bases his or her entire sense of self-worth on the approval – or lack thereof – of others. This is what leads them to relentlessly seek acceptance and approval. It’s also what leads them to react intensely to criticism or a lack of acceptance.
This over-reliance on others allows those with HPD to be easily influenced by other people’s opinions. While gullible, they are also selective in the opinions they believe and act on. If a belief serves their needs—for attention or esteem, they may use it to manipulate others.
A Constant Need for Attention
Individuals with HPD never stop craving attention. That prompts them to engage in dramatic and even inappropriate attention-seeking behaviors. At the extreme, a person may even threaten or attempt suicide.
Even the most mundane of conversations or interactions can lead to nothing short of performative dramatics for someone with HPD. These theatrics include wild gestures, facial expressions and voice volume.
A Hyperactive Focus on Appearance
Someone with HPD tends to be obsessed with their physical appearance, and they never stop worrying about it. This may include dressing provocatively and spending hours getting ready for even the most basic of outings. A person with HPD may behave seductively or flirtatiously when they feel that their appearance is up to standards.
Rash, Irrational Decision Making
People with HPD often act first and think later, if at all. They become bored or feel “confined” by a routine. They lose interest in things quickly, resulting in many unfinished projects or tasks.
Difficulty with Relationships
Common adjectives others use to describe people with histrionic personality disorder include:
- Manipulative
- Calculated
- Superficial
- Two-faced
- Selfish
Consequently, those with HPD struggle to form and maintain relationships. The relationships they do have tend to be fleeting and often intense.
The Causes of Histrionic Personality Disorder
At this point, it’s unclear whether HPD is the result of genetics or environment. Generally speaking, most experts believe that both factors contribute.
HPD tends to run in families. This may suggest a genetic component. Yet, a child raised by a parent with the disorder may also learn disordered behaviors.
Children who develop HPD may have experienced:
- A lack of consequences for improper behavior
- Too much positive reinforcement, including praise, for approved behaviors
- Scattered and fleeting levels of attention from parents, caregivers, or other family members
Finally, an individual’s temperament and preferred coping mechanisms can also play a role.
Histrionic Personality Disorder Prevalence
According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 9% of the population suffers from at least one personality disorder. The prevalence of HPD is approximately 2-3%. That equates to over 8 million people in the United States.
HPD symptoms usually begin to appear by adolescence or young adulthood. Yet, many people delay seeking treatment. Some never seek treatment. As a result, the prevalence of histrionic personality disorder is likely even higher.
As a whole, women are more likely to be diagnosed than men.
Histrionic Personality Disorder Diagnosis
One of the challenges of this condition is that the symptoms of HPD can overlap with other psychological disorders. Furthermore, psychological symptoms can have physical causes.
If you suspect you have histrionic personality disorder, talk to your doctor. Your primary care doctor can handle the physical aspect of your situation so that he or she can rule out physical conditions. At that point, you may be referred for a psychiatric evaluation.
Psychologists, psychiatrists, and behavioral health counselors can diagnose your condition. Based on interviews and other targeted assessments, they will craft a treatment plan.
Histrionic Personality Disorder Treatment
The good news is that HPD can be treated. The bad news is that many people with the disorder refuse to believe they need help. Given that they struggle with routines and perceived criticism, accepting advice and following a treatment plan is extremely challenging.
Psychotherapy as the first line of treatment for HPD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most common types of psychotherapy, and it can be an effective treatment for histrionic personality disorder.
Counseling can help patients uncover the reasons for their disordered thoughts and behaviors. Therapy also teaches the patient coping mechanisms for stressful situations. Ultimately, the aim is to improve the patient’s relationship with himself and others.
People with histrionic personality disorder are also at risk for other psychological disorders. These include major depressive disorder (MDD) and anxiety. Patients with these conditions may also incorporate medication into their treatment.
How SoCal Empowered of Idaho Can Help
Histrionic personality disorder is a serious psychological disorder. It affects an individual’s self-esteem, relationships, and professional life. Fortunately, treatment is available and can be effective.
It’s possible that you think you or someone you love has HPD. If so, contact SoCal Empowered of Idaho to begin your healing journey today.
