What is Histrionic Personality Disorder?
What is histrionic personality disorder? Despite its long history, many people have never even heard of histrionic personality disorder (HPD) before, let alone have an understanding about it. So what is HPD and what does it really look like?
The term histrionic itself means excessively theatrical or dramatic in character and it is this exaggerated manner in which one expresses his or her emotions that is at the core of HPD. These people are the ones who will cry excessively at sad movies or reveal their deepest secrets to someone who they have just met. Due to this dramatisation their moods appear to rapidly shift in an intense manner however the reasons for these reactions often appear to be shallow or impulsive. People with HPD not only enjoy being the centre of attention, they need to be the centre of attention in order for their self worth to be validated. Without this attention, they may feel uncomfortable, unappreciated or devalued and will go to lengths to achieve this.
One way in which they may go about drawing this attention from others is through sexually inappropriate behaviour such as attempting to use seductiveness in inappropriate situations such as social, occupational and professional relationships. They may discuss with great enthusiasm the prospect of marriage or long-term relationship with a relatively new partner or even acquaintances. An excessive preoccupation with physical appearance and using ones appearance to draw attention to oneself are also common behaviours in people with HPD and often may come across as vain to others.Symptoms of HPD typically become apparent in adolescence or early adulthood and HPD is diagnosed more often in women than in men. It has been speculated that there may be a tendency to over diagnose in women, as many of the symptoms of HPD such as dramatisation, vanity and seductiveness are characteristic of many Western “stereotypical females”.
What are the causes of HPD?
Although HPD has a long history, little research has been done into its pre-determinants and definite causes have therefore been difficult to ascertain. It has been suggested that HPD may share a genetic disposition toward the impulsivity or sensation seeking typically seen in antisocial personality disorder – in fact it has been found that approximately two thirds of people with HPD also meet the criteria for antisocial personality disorder.
Seeing as females are more likely than males to be diagnosed with HPD it has been suggested that females with this underlying predisposition will exhibit a primarily histrionic pattern whereas males with this predisposition will exhibit an antisocial pattern. It has also been suggested that HPD may result partly from a maladaptive variant of extroversion and neuroticism. Seeing as extroversion includes a tendency to seek out excitement and social relations and neuroticism includes facets of self-consciousness, emotionality, anger and vulnerability it has been theorised that HPD may be linked to these two personality traits.
Environmentally, it has been suggested that the tendency for families to emphasise and reinforce attention seeking in a person who has a genetic predisposition towards HPD may also be a trigger, leading them to seek out attention from others to validate their own self worth.
What are the treatment options?
As with the causes of HPD, research into treatment for this disorder has also been scarce. Psychotherapy however, has been suggested as a means to facilitate recovery. Solution focused therapy may assist in identifying the clients unrealistic expectations associated with many behaviours and thought processes exhibited in HPD such as the value they place on physical appearance and sexualisation. Therapy with a focus on interpersonal relationships may also be beneficial in addressing more appropriate communication styles.
HPD can be a difficult mental illness not only for the person themselves to deal with but for their friends, families and acquaintances as well. However with the appropriate understanding and support around ones struggles with this personality disorder people can be empowered to manage their symptoms, form meaningful relationships and find a healthier way of recognising their self worth.