Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition characterised by a pattern of excessive attention-seeking behaviours, usually beginning in early adulthood, including inappropriate seduction and an excessive desire for approval. People diagnosed with the disorder are said to be lively, dramatic, vivacious, enthusiastic, extroverted and flirtatious.
The following are some of the symptoms of HPD:
Excessive attention-seeking
People with HPD have an overwhelming need to be the center of attention. They may do this by being overly dramatic, using seductive or provocative behaviour, or making themselves the center of conversation.
*Emotional lability
People with HPD have rapidly changing emotions that are often shallow and exaggerated. They may cry easily, become angry quickly, or laugh hysterically.
*Superficial charm
People with HPD are often charming and charismatic. They can be very persuasive and manipulative, and they often use their charm to get what they want.
*Need for approval
People with HPD have a strong need for approval from others. They are very sensitive to criticism and disapproval, and they may go to great lengths to avoid it.
*Self-dramatisation
People with HPD often dramatise their experiences and make them seem more exciting or interesting than they really are. They may also exaggerate their own importance or abilities.
*Impaired interpersonal relationships
People with HPD often have unstable and superficial relationships. They may become quickly attached to people and then just as quickly lose interest. They may also have difficulty maintaining close relationships because they are so demanding of attention.
The exact cause of HPD is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some possible environmental factors that may contribute to HPD include:
People with HPD may have had early childhood experiences that led them to believe that they need to be the center of attention in order to be loved or accepted.
People with HPD may have experienced trauma in their past, such as physical or sexual abuse, that led them to develop this disorder as a way of coping with the trauma.
There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for HPD, but therapy is often helpful. The goal of therapy is to help people with HPD develop a more realistic sense of self and to learn how to manage their emotions in a healthy way. Some types of therapy that may be helpful for HPD include:
Cognitive therapy: This type of therapy helps people to identify and change the negative thought patterns that contribute to their symptoms.
Psychodynamic therapy:
This type of therapy helps people to understand the underlying causes of their symptoms, such as early childhood experiences or trauma.
Group therapy: This type of therapy can help people with HPD to learn how to interact with others in a more healthy way.