Histrionic personality disorder is a type of personality disorder that is primarily characterized by attention-seeking behavior.
Histrionic personality disorder can have an impact on your relationships and can interfere with your performance at work or in school. This disorder is usually first noticed in your teens or early adulthood.
Histrionic Personality Disorder Symptoms
Histrionic personality disorder often co-exists alongside another type of mental health condition, like anxiety. People with this disorder can be very successful. But, left untreated, the disorder can have a negative impact on your life. See your doctor if you notice symptoms of histrionic personality disorder, including:
- Excessive attention seeking
- Engaging in inappropriate behaviors to gain praise or approval
- Acting out in order to always be the center of attention; feeling uncomfortable or out of place when not the center of attention
- Being easily influenced by others
- Having an obsessive focus on your appearance
- Believing that relationships are closer or more intimate than they actually are
- Dressing provocatively or in an inappropriately sexy way; using one's looks or physical appearance to gain attention
- Rapidly shifting emotional states centered on how events affect them
Histrionic Personality Disorder Causes and Risk Factors
Histrionic personality disorder is not caused by one particular event or experience. A number of different risk factors can increase your risk of developing this disorder, such as:
- Being rewarded for attention seeking behavior as a child
- A family history of personality disorders, anxiety, or depression
- Learning behaviors from a parent or caregiver with histrionic personality disorder
- A lack of criticism or punishment as a child
- Unpredictable attention from your parents
- Previously experiencing depression or anxiety
- A genetic susceptibility to personality disorders
Histrionic Personality Disorder Treatment
Histrionic personality disorder is treatable. It often becomes apparent alongside other disorders, like anxiety or depression. Your doctor can perform tests to determine if you have this disorder and what treatment plan is right for you.
Medication: There is no medication to cure histrionic personality disorder. However, antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and other medications can help treat your symptoms of histrionic personality disorder .
Therapy: Therapy is very effective in treating this disorder. Psychodynamic therapy, talk therapy, behavioral therapy, and other types of therapy can help you learn how to gain control over your disorder. See your options for therapy.
Education: Learning more about histrionic personality disorder can help you understand your triggers and explain your condition to your family and friends. Learn more about mental health with our resources.
Support: Finding support to help you cope with histrionic personality disorder and other mental health conditions that you may be experiencing can help you feel better faster. Find a support group at Sheppard Pratt.
Histrionic personality disorder is one of a group of conditions called "Cluster B" or "dramatic" personality disorders. People with these disorders have intense, unstable emotions and distorted self-images. For people with histrionic personality disorder, their self-esteem depends on the approval of others and does not arise
from a true feeling of self-worth. They have an overwhelming desire to be noticed, and often behave dramatically or inappropriately to get attention. The word histrionic means "dramatic or theatrical." This disorder is more common in women than in men and usually is evident by adolescence or early adulthood. In many cases, people with histrionic personality disorder have
good social skills; however, they tend to use these skills to manipulate others so that they can be the center of attention. A person with this disorder might also: The exact cause of
histrionic personality disorder is not known, but many mental health professionals believe that both learned and inherited factors play a role in its development. For example, the tendency for histrionic personality disorder to run in families suggests that a genetic susceptibility for the disorder might be inherited. However, the child of a parent with this disorder might simply be repeating learned behavior. Other environmental factors that might be involved include a lack of criticism or
punishment as a child, positive reinforcement that is given only when a child completes certain approved behaviors, and unpredictable attention given to a child by their parent(s), all leading to confusion about what types of behavior earn parental approval. Personality disorders also usually develop in relation to individual temperament and psychological styles and ways people learn to cope with stress while growing up.What Are the Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder?
What Causes Histrionic Personality Disorder?
If signs of this personality disorder are present, the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical and psychiatric history. If physical symptoms are present, a physical exam and laboratory tests (such as neuroimaging studies or
blood tests) may also be recommended to assure that a physical illness is not causing any symptoms that may be present. If the doctor finds no physical reason for the symptoms, they might refer the person to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or
other licensed behavioral health professional who may use specially designed interview and assessment tools to evaluate a person for a personality disorder. In general, people with histrionic personality disorder do not believe they need therapy. They also tend to exaggerate their feelings and to dislike routine, which makes following a treatment plan difficult. However, they
might seek help if depression -- possibly associated with a loss or a failed relationship -- or another problem caused by their actions causes them distress. Psychotherapy (a type of counseling) is generally the treatment of choice for histrionic personality disorder. The goal of treatment is to help the individual uncover the
motivations and fears associated with their thoughts and behavior, and to help the person learn to relate to others in a more positive way. Medication might sometimes be used as treatment for other conditions that might also be present with this disorder, such as depression and
anxiety.How Is Histrionic Personality Disorder Diagnosed?
How Is Histrionic Personality Disorder Treated?
What Complications Are Associated With Histrionic Personality Disorder?
Histrionic personality disorder can affect a person's social, professional, or romantic relationships and how they react to losses or failures. People with this disorder are also at higher risk than the general population to suffer from depression.
What Is the Outlook for People With Histrionic Personality Disorder?
Many people with this disorder are able to function well socially and at work. Those with severe cases, however, might experience significant problems in their daily lives
Can Histrionic Personality Disorder Be Prevented?
Although prevention of the histrionic personality disorder might not be possible, treatment can allow a person who is prone to this disorder to learn more productive ways of dealing with situations.