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Histrionic Personality Disorder - Causes, Signs, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

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Histrionic personality disorder causes variations in the thinking ability of a person. Read this article to know more.

Written by

Dr. Lochana .k

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi

Published At April 23, 2022
Reviewed AtAugust 17, 2022

What Is Histrionic Personality Disorder?

Histrionic personality disorder belongs to the cluster B type of personality disorder. In general, patients who are affected with cluster B disorders are emotional, dramatic, and erratic. It is noted that patients with histrionic personality disorder have a distortion in their mental abilities and the image they have of themselves. Self-esteem is totally based on others' opinions. They lack self-love and are always influenced by external perspectives.

What Are the Causes of Histrionic Personality Disorder?

Many mental health experts believe that inherited factors and learned experience might play a vital role in histrionic personality disorder. The tendency to develop a histrionic personality disorder might also run in the families. Genetic reason is the main cause for the occurrence of histrionic personality disorder. In addition to this, environmental factors such as lack of punishment and negative criticism might cause the child to express excessively approved behaviors. An inappropriate method of parenting also serves as a causative factor for histrionic personality disorder. In other cases, this disorder can happen due to unknown causes.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder?

People suffering from histrionic personality disorder exhibit excellent social skills. They use the same to manipulate others so that they will gain attention from all aspects.

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The signs and symptoms shown by the patient with histrionic personality disorder are:

  • Dress in a seductive and flirtatious manner.

  • They become comfortable only when they become the center of attraction in a social gathering.

  • Alteration in the emotion in a rapid manner.

  • The requirement for approval or reassurance in a constant manner.

  • Extremely sensitive behavior for negative criticism.

  • A tendency to get easily influenced by others.

  • Dramatic behavior can resemble a performance or show in front of an audience.

  • They lack sincerity in their behaviors.

  • They get easily bored by normal routine activities.

  • They might tend to start new works or projects without the completion of the existing ones.

  • Inability to think and act.

  • Being very quick in decisions that might sound impulsive.

  • Poor tolerance for other people's behavior.

  • Improper stability in their relationship with others.

  • They might threaten to commit suicide if they do not receive proper attention.

Are Histrionic People Monogamous or Polygamous?

Monogamous refers to the relationship style of a person where they tend to stay committed to one person forever. Polygamous refers to the exact opposite relationship style where the person might involve in multiple relationships. The extremely attractive behavior of histrionic people might make them involved in several relationships even though it is short-term.

A monogamous attachment style is very rare in histrionic personality disorder. Patients affected by this condition always use their physical appearance and body language to seek attention from others. They always try to speak in a way that is impressive to others. They lack a genuine feeling of honesty, and so they find it very easy to shift from one relationship to another without any feeling of remorse. In addition to this, they feel good only when they stay in a relationship that provides an extreme level of reassurance for their physical appearance. Histrionics fail in marital relationships as they enjoy unwanted jealousy in their relationship. Also, they fail to develop and receive trustworthy relationships. This behavior makes them experience more divorces.

Who Are Affected More by Histrionic Personality Disorder?

Women are affected more by histrionic personality disorder. This is due to the fact that women show too much concern for their beauty and appearance. This behavior is elevated in their teenage years or during the early part of the ’20s. Another reason for the increased occurrence of this condition in females is that male patients make only a few registered reports. They are more hesitant to report to the doctor and get diagnosed.

Another reason for this disorder to be more prevalent in females is their increased level of requirement to be validated by others in terms of physical appearance and professional excellence. Certain reports suggest that males who become popular personalities at a very young age suffer from a histrionic personality disorder due to the abundant craze and validation they receive from their fans.

What Is the Difference Between Histrionic Personality Disorder and Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

Both histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder are categorized under cluster B. The cluster B disorders share some of the common characteristics. People coming under this category have problems controlling their emotions, and they express extensive impulsive behaviors. People with narcissistic personality disorder always have a belief system that they need a unique palace that deserves special treatment. They have problems associated with self-worth. On the other hand, patients with histrionic personality disorder are found to be extremely attention-seeking, and they express a pattern of extreme dysregulation in their emotions.

How Is Histrionic Personality Disorder Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of histrionic personality disorder requires examination by a psychologist or a psychiatrist. They follow a diagnostic and statistical manual (DSM-5) for diagnosing mental disorders. If a particular set of criteria are satisfied, then it is possible to diagnose the condition. The experts are also keen on identifying the existence of histrionic personality disorder along with other disorders such as narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Some patients suffer anxiety and depression along with histrionic personality disorder.

What Are the Treatment Options for a Histrionic Personality Disorder?

The treatment options for histrionic personality disorder require both psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.

  • Psychotherapy: It is a very useful tool in training patients toward a healthy lifestyle. Individuals are brought to many coping skills that would be helpful for them to overcome their distress. Successful psychotherapy should improve the self-esteem of the patient.

  • Holistic Therapy: A holistic therapy technique includes yoga, tai chi, biofeedback, and the mindfulness technique.

  • Medication: For patients who are suffering from complicated symptoms of histrionic personality disorder, the doctor will provide medications to overcome anger, mood swings, and depression. Self-medications are not recommended as they might cause harmful effects.

Conclusion

Personality disorders are treatable but over a span of time. Patience and regular consultation with the treating professionals are imperative in their prognosis. If your loved one has any personality disorders or other mental health conditions, do not hesitate to contact a healthcare professional online.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.

What Are the Characteristics of a Histrionic Personality?

Histrionic personality disorders are described as dramatic, erratic, excitable, or volatile. Specifically, a person with a histrionic personality disorder is characterized as flirtatious, seductive, manipulative, charming, impulsive, and lively.

2.

What Triggers Histrionic Personality Disorder?

it is unknown what causes and triggers histrionic personality disorder. it is likely to be that of multifactorial origin. However, trauma experienced during childhood and parenting style may influence the development of the histrionic disorder. Parents who lack boundaries and are over-indulgent or inconsistent may put their children at risk of developing a histrionic personality disorder. Moreover, parents who are dramatic, volatile, erratic, or inappropriate sexual behavior predispose their children to develop this personality disorder.

3.

Are Histrionics Narcissists?

Narcissistic personality disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by a pattern of grandiosity, fantasies of limitless power or importance, and the constant need for admiration and special treatment. Histrionic personality disorder comes under narcissist personality disorder, so yes, some of the traits of a histrionic person may resemble a narcissist.

4.

What Are Histrionic Behavior Examples?

Histrionic people feel underappreciated and disregarded if they do not get the center of attention. They typically have a larger-than-life presence, and they are the life of the fun party. They are vibrant, enchanting, seductive, or inappropriately sexual with people they meet despite the fact that the opposite person may not be sexually attracted to them.

5.

Is Histrionics Angry?

Individuals with histrionic personality disorder may become angry when they receive criticism and negative feedback. In such situations, when they are not met with their desire, they may commonly have temper tantrums and angry outbursts.

6.

Do Histrionics Feel Empathy?

A person with a histrionic personality disorder lacks the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

7.

Is Histrionics Happy?

People with a histrionic personality disorder may feel moments of pleasure and happiness, but their psychological condition, including emotional instability and constant need for attention from others, makes it very difficult for them to retain that happiness for a longer period of time.

8.

Do Histrionics Lie a Lot?

People with histrionic personality disorder may tend to lie in order to draw attention to themselves or make themselves more attractive to others by telling a line and fabricating a story or information that also disturbs the truth in order to manipulate others to avoid negative consequences and feedback.

9.

What Do Histrionic People Do?

People with histrionic personality disorder have an overwhelming desire for people to notice them, and they often behave dramatically and inappropriate manner to get attention. They also tend to be manipulative to get their desired result.

10.

How to Deal With a Histrionic Person?

People with histrionic personality disorder require psychotherapy and some lifestyle changes. Successful psychotherapy can improve the self-esteem of the affected person. Lifestyle changes with holistic therapy techniques such as yoga, biofeedback, tai chi, and the mindfulness technique may be helpful. The doctor may also suggest medications to overcome mood swings, anger, and depression. 

11.

Is Histrionics Insecure?

People with histrionic personality disorder may feel insecure about their need for constant validation and appreciation from others. They tend to overlook their own need to impress others.

12.

Is Histrionics Manipulative?

People with histrionic personality disorder have a tendency to be manipulative, including over-exaggerating and fabricating stories in order to be the center of attention and attract others; they may also lie and manipulate according to their needs.

13.

Are Histrionics Depressed?

According to many studies, people with histrionic personality disorder bear a higher risk of developing depression compared to the general population. In addition, they also have a higher risk of developing substance abuse disorders such as alcohol and cannabis, which in turn increase their risk of developing depression.
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Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi
Dr. Vishal Anilkumar Gandhi

Psychiatry

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