Behavior may be overly theatrical or purposefully flamboyant as a way to get people’s attention. For example, a woman guest may wear a wedding dress to another woman’s wedding, or a man may show up in an animal costume to a formal event. Someone with HPD may frequently dress inappropriately or in an attention-getting way, like by wearing revealing or seductive clothing to work, or putting on lots of jewelry or makeup. These people are often considered the “life of the party. ” They may be viewed as charming or charismatic.
For example, a person may date someone for one week and when the relationship does not work out, they may threaten suicide. Instead of taking responsibility, the person may blame other people or external factors for their own problems. For example, if the person’s business fails due to negligence and poor decision making, they may blame staff, location, bad customers, or other external factors. The person’s behavior or reactions may be so intense or attention-grabbing that it may frighten, embarrass, or otherwise put off the people around them.
For example, the person may have very strong and controversial beliefs, such as saying that all countries should be communist or that having children should be regulated by the government. When asked why, they may not give a direct answer or provide any reasons for these beliefs. They may inject themselves into conversations with a strong, opinionated statement - such as suddenly interrupting a meeting at work to say that the current project will make the company will go bankrupt.
For instance, the person may mention feeling extremely upset about something, but later become almost euphoric, as though the upsetting event never happened. They may seem to feel their emotions in very shallow extremes. It may seem to others like the person is constantly acting out their emotions or faking their feelings or responses, like they’re putting on a performance. Does the person appear difficult to relate to? If you bring up a problem, does this person make it about themselves instead?
This person may say, “I know that Jordan hates me, but you think I’m a good friend, right?” To gain approval, this person may do things like buy gifts to gain acceptance, or put down other people to make themselves look better. This person may be overly sensitive to criticism or disapproval. [9] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source This may result in an emotional explosion or blaming others.
This person may act overly familiar with strangers or acquaintances. Someone with HPD may make inappropriate advances on others, such as propositioning coworkers or people they hardly know, or broaching professional boundaries (e. g. trying to befriend their psychiatrist). [10] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source
When thinking about this person, do you notice that they crave attention and cannot be without it? How does this person respond when ignored or overshadowed?
Someone with HPD may constantly switch from job to job, friendship to friendship, and relationship to relationship as a means of excitement.
For instance, someone with illness anxiety disorder (hypochondria) may frequently go to the doctor over little things, but this is because they genuinely think they’re sick, not to get attention. Anxiety can often co-occur with histrionic personality disorder.
Heightened feelings of importance, entitlement, or talent Fantasizing about power, importance, intellect, or attractiveness Manipulating others for their own gain Wanting others to think of them as important or be jealous Notable lack of empathy
Fear of abandonment, taking action to avoid being abandoned, and struggling to trust other people Idealization (thinking the best of someone) and devaluation (thinking the worst of someone) in interpersonal relationships Intense, hard-to-control emotions Confusion or uncertainty over their sense of self (unstable identity) Dissociation Constantly feeling empty or hollow Self-injurious behavior and/or suicidal thoughts or intent
Feeling unable to take care of themselves or be independent Difficulty in making any decisions independently; having others make decisions for them Frequently seeking support, reassurance, or comfort from others Struggling to disagree or voice opinions that are different from others; being a people-pleaser Fear of not being in a close relationship, or of being abandoned
It can be important to assess a person’s social and romantic history to gain insight on how they relate with others.
Histrionic personality disorder is more often diagnosed in women than men, however, this may reflect socially acceptable roles and not the actual prevalence of histrionic disorder in the general population. [24] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source For example, a woman who is more sexually forward may be considered outside the norm, while this may be considered normal behavior for men.
Substance use is common in those with histrionic personality disorder. If a person uses substances that affect their functioning, substance treatment may be necessary.
Childhood experiences might include learning behaviors or responses from adults. This could be unpredictable attention given as a child. A child may become confused when feedback is inconsistent or when they don’t know how to interpret when parents are pleased.
