Histrionic Personality Disorder - Overview

An individual with histrionic personality disorder lacks insight into their own behavior. (Image via Pexels/ Cottonbro)
An individual with histrionic personality disorder lacks insight into their own behavior. (Image via Pexels/ Cottonbro)

Histrionic personality disorder is a personality disorder characterized mostly by attention-seeking behavior. Your relationship and performance at work or school may be affected by histrionic personality disorder. Typically, this disorder only becomes apparent in your teens or early adulthood.

Individuals with HPD can act very emotionally and tend to demonstrate persistent attention-seeking behavior. People with HPD are frequently described as cunning, impulsive, and vivacious. They can also be easily influenced by others and constantly look to others for approval.

Seen as over-dramatic people, individuals with this disorder can have a tough time in social situations. ( Image via Pexels/ Cottonbro)
Seen as over-dramatic people, individuals with this disorder can have a tough time in social situations. ( Image via Pexels/ Cottonbro)

Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder

While the traits may overlap with other cluster B symptoms, it has its unique characteristics. (Image via Pexels/ Olegbf)
While the traits may overlap with other cluster B symptoms, it has its unique characteristics. (Image via Pexels/ Olegbf)

Several personality disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and dependent personality disorder (DPD), exhibit characteristics similar to HPD.

There are several ways to distinguish HPD from related conditions, even though only a mental health professional, like a psychiatrist or psychologist with experience with personality disorders, can establish a valid diagnosis:

1) Attention Seeking

Both HPD and NPD are characterized by attention-seeking behavior, with the difference being that those with NPD prefer attention that leads to admiration, whilst those with HPD only require attention, whether positive or negative.


2) Tendency to feel intense emotions

Both HPD and BPD may show symptoms of intense emotions. People with BPD experience intense emotions as a result of their feelings of failure and inadequacy. Individuals who have HPD do not express these self-deprecating sentiments.


3) Dependence

Dependence is a problem for Dependent Personality Disorder and HPD alike. In contrast, folks with HPD are characterized as dramatic and uninhibited in their reliance, whilst those with DPD are frequently hesitant and apprehensive in theirs.

Life of an individual with HPD is like an on screen drama. (Image via Freepik/ Freepik)
Life of an individual with HPD is like an on screen drama. (Image via Freepik/ Freepik)

4) Dramatic Reactions

Several of the characteristics of the histrionic personality disorder resemble ordinary behaviors of young adults.

Young adults generally go through a particularly unstable time in their lives. Individuals in this age range frequently start new experiences, such as college, travel, relocating to a new location, starting a new job, or developing new friendships or relationships. All of that change has the potential to trigger strong emotions and dramatic actions.

A person's brain does not reach complete maturity until they are in their mid-20s. Also, parts of the brain involved in impulse control and emotional regulation are those that grow last in the brain. Young adults consequently have more severe emotional responses and dramatic highs and lows.


Treatment of Histrionic Personality Disorder

Always remember than help is available. (Image via Freepik/ Freepik)
Always remember than help is available. (Image via Freepik/ Freepik)

Although histrionic personality disorder treatment might be challenging, individuals experiencing this condition are quicker to seek and accept help than those with other personality disorders. However, they may exaggerate symptoms and challenges.

The most frequently prescribed form of treatment is talk therapy, and patients may benefit from solution-focused therapy to ease their current distressing circumstances. Distressing symptoms may be treated with medications such as SSRIs for anxiety or depression.


Histrionic Personality Disorder Test

Don't take the online tests, get in touch with a professional. (Image via Pexels/ Mart)
Don't take the online tests, get in touch with a professional. (Image via Pexels/ Mart)

Online screening tests for histrionic personality disorder are considered a short-cut method for identifying the probable presence of the condition, but it shouldn't be relied upon alone to make a diagnosis. These are freely available and are very generalized in their item format.

Mental health specialists, such as psychologists or therapists, have the knowledge to effectively diagnose HPD and establish a specific treatment plan. Major traits of HPD, such as attention-seeking behavior, excessive emotional reactions, and the desire to be the center of attention, may be uncovered by using self-reported surveys, interviews, or observations.

A number of inquiries regarding your actions, feelings, and ideas will be made about you if you decide to take the HPD assessment with a professional.


Some Histrionic Personality Disorder examples can be seen in everyday life, but individuals displaying these signs may not necessarily have a diagnosis. Throughout childhood and adolescence, a person's personality continues to change. Anyone who is thought to have HPD might not be aware of their actions.

Histrionic personality disorder patients may come out as impulsive and flighty. Their behavior frequently interferes with truly close relationships, yet they are also uncomfortable being alone. While they are not the center of attention, they frequently experience depression. Individuals with histrionic personality disorder frequently believe their relationships to be more intimate than they are while they are in them.


Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a Master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.


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