Histrionic Personality Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by excessive attention-seeking, emotional involvement, and an unhealthy need for approval from others. It’s estimated that about 1% of the population has this disorder. If you’re wondering what it is, how to recognize it, and how to treat it if you or someone you love has it, read on for more information!

What is Histrionic Personality Disorder?

A histrionic personality disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a pattern of attention-seeking behavior and overly dramatic emotions. In addition, the person may use physical appearance to draw attention to them and be highly suggestible. These traits can make it difficult for them to maintain relationships.

People with histrionic personality disorder are often described as “drama queens” or “drama kings” because they tend to be dramatic in their speech and actions. They may also seek constant stimulation to feel the excitement and avoid boredom. They can be very impulsive and may engage in risky behaviors.

Causes of Histrionic Personality Disorder

People with Histrionic Personality Disorder are generally outgoing, dramatic, and craving attention. In some cases, they may seem to have an exaggerated need for attention from others (although this can be hard to diagnose).

They tend to be very impressionable and are easily influenced by others’ opinions. They may also be manipulative or demanding when getting what they want.

The causes of Histrionic Personality Disorder aren’t fully understood, but it’s thought that genetics may play a role in its development. It’s also possible that early childhood experiences could lead to the disorder later in life.

It’s important to note that while having a personality disorder doesn’t mean you’re crazy or dangerous, you might need some help learning how to manage your feelings and behaviors so that they don’t cause problems for you or other people around you.

Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder

Excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behaviors. People with histrionic personality disorder often act out in an overly dramatic way to get attention from other people. For example, they may cry easily, laugh uproariously at inappropriate times, or become angry or upset to get people to notice them.

The person with Histrionic Personality Disorder may exhibit symptoms such as:

• Lack of empathy toward others, including family members and friends
• Disregard for social norms and obligations
• Excessive sensitivity to criticism or disapproval from others, particularly in social situations
• A need for approval from others that is unrelated to the quality of their work or performance
• A tendency to be easily influenced by other people’s opinions or behaviors, which can cause them to engage in activities that are dangerous or inappropriate for their age group
• Being overly concerned with your appearance (e.g., wearing provocative clothing)
• Exaggerating your emotions (e.g., crying when you’re happy)
• Being easily influenced by others (e.g., changing your beliefs based on what other people think)

Treatment and Prevention

Histrionic Personality Disorder treatment can be a long and slow process, but it’s worth the effort to get better.

The first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of support system you have in place and what kind of lifestyle changes you need to make to live with your disorder, rather than letting it control you.

Therapies for Histrionic Personality Disorder is focused on helping the patient learn how to manage their emotions and communicate healthily, as well as helping them understand the ways that their behavior might be hurting others. The therapist will help the patient identify their triggers and work with them to find ways to avoid or manage those triggers. The therapist may also help the patient determine what makes them feel good about themselves, so they can use those things as tools to avoid feeling empty or anxious.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is often used as a first-line treatment option for individuals who suffer from HPD. It allows them to understand what causes their behavior and learn how to manage it more effectively. There are many types of psychotherapy available for this condition, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), and mentalization-based therapy (MBT). The specific type chosen will depend on each patient’s individual needs based on their unique situation, goals, and preferences.

For more information about Mental Health Conditions. Visit our Mental Health Library page.  To understand and cope with your Dependent Personality Disorder, get help from our Top 10 Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Therapists who are known for providing the best mental health treatment and psychiatry services. To book an appointment please call us at (800) 457-4573 or submit an appointment request