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Signs and Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder

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Signs and Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder

Living with a mental health condition can impact every aspect of a person’s life. Recognizing the symptoms and seeking treatment can help people manage these conditions and live the life they choose.

Personality disorders are a type of mental health condition. These conditions can impact a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. People with personality disorders may require treatment and ongoing support to manage their symptoms.

This article will explore a personality disorder called histrionic personality disorder (HPD). You will learn:

  • The symptoms of HPD
  • What causes histrionic personality disorder
  • What to expect during personality disorder treatment
  • Where to find mental health treatment and support

Treatment and support can help people with HPD manage their symptoms and improve functioning. Find individualized mental health treatment and support programs at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. Contact our intake team to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.

What is Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD)?

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition. It is one of the Cluster B personality disorders. These personality disorders involve erratic, seductive, or provocative behaviors.

The term “histrionic” means “melodramatic or theatrical.” People with HPD experience unstable emotions. They may constantly seek attention and may have a distorted sense of self.

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), people with HPD rely on external factors for their self-esteem. They may feel an overwhelming desire for others to notice and like them. They may experience depression or anxiety if they do not have the attention and admiration of others.

HPD shares some features with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). People with HPD crave attention. They may engage in emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors, similar to people with NPD.

However, people with HPD require validation to develop self-esteem. People with narcissistic personality disorder have an exaggerated sense of self. They seek admiration from others to validate this view.

Signs and Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder

People with histrionic personality disorder may seek to draw attention through their behaviors. They may exhibit excessive emotional responses. They may be inappropriately sexually seductive or provocative to get attention from others.

Some of the characteristic behaviors of histrionic personality disorder include:

  • Being dramatic in their emotional expressions
  • Displaying sexual expressions with people, even if they are not attracted to them
  • Experiencing excessive concern about physical appearance
  • Having trouble forming and maintaining close relationships
  • Excessively charming or flirtatious
  • Speaking dramatically without providing facts to support their statements
  • Using their appearance to get attention
  • Experiencing anxiety or depression if they are not the center of attention
  • They are easily influenced, especially by those they admire
  • Having distorted views of relationships, such as believing they are closer to someone than they are
  • Having superficial interactions with others

Recognizing the signs of histrionic personality disorder can help people get the treatment they need to manage its symptoms.

What are the Causes of Histrionic Personality Disorder?

Mental health experts do not understand what causes histrionic personality disorder. Some experts believe there are several possible factors contributing to HPD. These include:

  • Genetics
  • Inappropriate parental behaviors during childhood
  • Overly-permissive parenting styles
  • Childhood trauma

Mental health professionals believe HPD is rare, affecting only about 1% of the population in the US. It is more common among women. Many people with HPD begin to exhibit symptoms as teenagers or in early adulthood.

People must meet five or more of the following criteria to receive a diagnosis of HPD. These criteria are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). These criteria include:

  • A history of provocative or seductive behaviors
  • Being easily influenced by others
  • Shallow or rapidly changing emotions
  • Using physical appearance to get attention
  • Distorted sense of relationships
  • Exaggerated emotions
  • Feeling anxious if they are not the center of attention
  • Vague or impressionistic speech patterns

Receiving an accurate diagnosis can help people with HPD get adequate treatment.

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What Therapies Are Used to Treat HPD?

Specialized, comprehensive therapies can help people with HPD manage their symptoms and improve functioning. Here is an overview of the therapies used to treat histrionic personality disorder.

Talk therapy

Talk therapy can help people explore and express emotions, identify patterns, and learn healthier coping skills. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common forms of psychotherapy used to treat histrionic personality disorder.

Group therapy

Group therapy helps people with HPD identify destructive behaviors. It can help people make meaningful changes in how they think, feel, and act. It can also help people communicate more effectively and feel less alone.

Medications

There are no medications to treat histrionic personality disorder. However, people with HPD may take medications to manage anxiety, depression, and other symptoms of this condition.

Recognizing the signs of histrionic personality disorder is the first step in getting help. Getting treatment can help you manage this condition. Seek treatment as soon as you recognize the signs of HPD.

Find Mental Health Treatment Now

Living with a personality disorder can be challenging. Getting a proper diagnosis and comprehensive treatment can help. Find effective, holistic mental health treatment at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. Learn about our programs or schedule an intake appointment by contacting our intake specialists today.

References:

  1. National Institute of Health (NIH): Histrionic Personality Disorder
  2. American Psychological Association (APA): Histrionic personality disorder.
  3. Wiley Online Library: Change processes in psychotherapy for patients presenting with histrionic personality disorder

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The goal of the content provided by Agape Behavioral Healthcare is to provide readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information in mental and behavioral healthcare. Our medical reviewers specialize in mental health and addiction medicine and are committed to helping our readers make informed decisions about their health. We adhere to strict accuracy standards and source information exclusively from credible sources.

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