“Histrionic personality disorder” is a pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, beginning by early adulthood. It is indicated by five or more of the following:

• Is uncomfortable in situations in which he or she is not the center of attention.
• Interaction with others is often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior.
• Displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions.
• Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self.
• Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail.
• Shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion.
• Is suggestible (i.e., easily influenced by others or circumstances).
• Considers relationships to be more intimate than they actually are.

What is Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

“Narcissistic personality disorder” is a pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy. The disorder begins by early adulthood and is indicated by five or more of the following:

• Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements).
• Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.
• Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).
• Requires excessive admiration.
• Has a sense of entitlement (i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations).
• Is interpersonally exploitative (i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations).
• Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.
• If often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.
• Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes.

What is Avoidant Personality Disorder?

“Avoidant personality disorder” is a pervasive pattern of social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and hypersensitivity to negative evaluation, beginning by early adulthood. The patterns is indicated by four or more of the following:

• Avoids occupational activities that involve significant interpersonal contact because of fears of criticism, disapproval, or rejection.
• Is unwilling to get involved with people unless certain of being liked.
• Shows restraint within intimate relationships because of the fear of being shamed or ridiculed.
• Is preoccupied with being criticized or rejected in social situations.
• Is inhibited in new interpersonal situations because of feelings of inadequacy.
• Views self as socially inept, personally unappealing, or inferior to others.
• Is unusually reluctant to take personal risks or to engage in any new activities because they may prove embarrassing.