Sometimes we feel like, "Oh, no one cares about me," right? But for some people, this feeling is a bit extreme. They always want to keep everyone's attention to themselves. That's the kind of condition we're going to talk about today, called Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). Don't worry, we'll talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is Histrionic Personality Disorder?
Simply put, histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition in which a person's emotions are overly intense, unstable, and change quickly. They also have a distorted self-image. The word "histrionic" means "dramatic" or "having a theatrical nature."
A person with HPD has a sense of self-worth that is based on whether or not others appreciate them. They don't really feel valued. They have an insatiable desire to get attention from others . So they may sometimes act out in dramatic or inappropriate ways to get that attention.
People with HPD often don't realize that there is a problem with their behavior and thinking. This condition falls into a category called "Cluster B" personality disorders. Other disorders in this category are also associated with dramatic and impulsive behavior.
Who is most affected by this condition? How common is it?
HPD usually begins in your late teens or early twenties . It is reported to be more commonly diagnosed in women. However, researchers believe that men can also have the condition, but it may be underdiagnosed.
This is actually a fairly rare condition . Researchers estimate that about 1% of the population has this condition. That's about one in a hundred people.
What are the symptoms of histrionic personality disorder (HPD)?
The main characteristic of someone with HPD is excessive, superficial displays of emotion and sexuality to attract the attention of others. Imagine someone like this...
- When you lose attention, you feel very uncomfortable , feel unappreciated, and can even lead to a state of depression.
- Emotions change very quickly , and they are not deep, but superficial. You can be smiling one moment and crying for no reason the next.
- Very dramatic, very strong expressions of emotion . Sometimes this can be so severe that it can even embarrass family and friends in public.
- He acts like a "big character" . He's the one who should be seen as the cutest.
- Always behaves in a very attractive and flirtatious manner .
- They think too much about their physical appearance .
- They try to use their physical appearance to get the attention of others . For example, they wear flashy colors and clothes that show off their bodies.
- With many people I meet, I talk and behave in inappropriately sexually suggestive ways, even if I'm not sexually attracted to them .
- They speak in a very dramatic way, making big statements, but they don't have the facts or details to support them.
- They easily believe what others say and are easily influenced by others , especially those they admire.
- I think my relationships with other people are much closer than they really are . Maybe I can say "my best friend" about someone I've talked to once or twice.
- It's hard to maintain relationships . In dealing with others, you often come across as a liar and someone who only interacts superficially.
- They want instant gratification . They can't wait to get things. They get bored and frustrated very easily.
- They constantly ask others things like "Am I okay?", "Is this okay?", and expect approval .
The most important thing is that we should be suspicious if these behavioral patterns persist and affect daily life and relationships.
Why does this situation occur?
Personality disorders, including HPD, are one of the least understood mental health conditions. However, research has identified several factors that may contribute to the development of conditions like HPD.
- Genetics : Because HPD tends to run in families, scientists believe it may have a hereditary link. That is, the tendency may be genetic.
- Childhood Trauma : Severe traumas experienced during childhood, such as child abuse or the sudden death of a family member, can have a disruptive effect on adult life and may be part of a personality disorder. Children deal with these traumas in different ways, and these ways may lead to problems later in life.
- Parenting Styles: Parents who raise their children in a way that is unrestrictive, overly indulgent, or inconsistent are more likely to develop HPD. Also, parents who are dramatic, unstable, controlling, or expose their children to inappropriate sexual behavior are also at risk for developing the condition. Some researchers believe that problems in the parent-child relationship may contribute to low self-esteem in those with HPD.
How do doctors diagnose this?
Personality is something that continues to develop throughout childhood and adolescence, so doctors usually don't diagnose someone with HPD until they're 18 years old .
Personality disorders, including HPD, can be difficult to diagnose because, in many cases, the person suffering from this condition does not think that there is anything wrong with their behavior or way of thinking.
If they come to seek help, it's because of other issues that are related to HPD. For example, anxiety or depression caused by a divorce or a breakup. Otherwise, it's not because they think, "I have a personality disorder."
When a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, suspects that someone may have HPD, they usually ask general questions. That is, questions that don't put the other person on the defensive or create a hostile environment. They ask questions to gather information about things like:
- Past information
- Relationships
- Details of previous jobs
- Reality checking (i.e., the ability to distinguish between the real world and the imagined world)
- Ability to control sudden impulses
Because a person suspected of having HPD may be unaware of their own behavior, mental health professionals may ask permission to collect information from the person's family and friends.
Doctors diagnose HPD based on criteria in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) . According to these criteria, at least five of the following persistent behaviors must be present:
1. Feeling uncomfortable when they are not the center of attention.
2. Sexually suggestive or provocative behavior.
3. Quickly changing and superficial emotions.
4. Using looks to attract attention.
5. Emotionally based, unclear speaking style.
6. Expressing emotions in a dramatic or exaggerated manner.
7. Easily succumbing to the influence of others.
8. Perceiving relationships as closer than they actually are.
What are the treatments for this?
People with HPD often don't believe their behavior is a problem. They exaggerate their feelings and don't like to follow a routine. This can make it difficult to follow a treatment plan. However, they may seek help because of a distressing situation they are experiencing (perhaps depression caused by a breakup or a failure in a relationship) or because of another problem with their thoughts and behavior.
Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is usually the main treatment option for HPD and other personality disorders . The goal of therapy is to help the person identify the motivations and fears behind their thoughts and behaviors, and to teach them how to relate better to others.
There are several types of psychotherapy that may be helpful for people with HPD:
- Group Therapy : In this, a group of people, under the supervision of a psychiatrist or psychologist, come together to discuss and explain their problems. This can be particularly helpful for people with HPD, especially if the therapy is done with other people who also have HPD. It can help the person with HPD see their behavior for themselves.
- Psychodynamic Psychotherapy : This type of therapy focuses on the psychological roots of emotional distress. Through self-observation and self-examination, the client looks at problematic relationship patterns in their life.
- Supportive Psychotherapy : The goal of this type of therapy is to reduce symptoms and maintain, rebuild, or improve self-esteem and coping skills. It examines relationships and emotional responses or behavioral patterns.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) : This is a structured, goal-oriented treatment. A psychiatrist or psychologist helps you take a closer look at your thoughts and feelings. You can understand how your thoughts affect your actions. Through CBT, you can learn to let go of negative thoughts and behaviors and develop healthier thought patterns and habits.
Although there is currently no medication that can treat personality disorders, there are medications for conditions such as depression and anxiety that people with HPD may experience. Treating these conditions may also make it easier to treat HPD.
What side effects can this cause?
People with histrionic personality disorder (HPD) are at increased risk of developing depression and substance use disorders (for example, cannabis use disorder and alcohol use disorder).
People with HPD are also more likely to develop these conditions:
- Somatic Symptom Disorder : In this, people are excessively distressed by a physical symptom they have. They may also experience unusual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to their symptoms.
- Panic Attacks : A panic attack is a sudden, short-term fear and intense physical reactions in response to normal, non-threatening situations.
- Conversion Disorders (also called Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder): This is a medical condition involving a loss of function in a part of the nervous system. In other words, your brain and body believe that part of your nervous system is not functioning, even though there is no evidence of actual structural damage.
Attention-seeking behaviors in people with HPD can include frequent suicide threats and attempts . This is very dangerous.
What is the prognosis of this condition?
Although there is no cure for HPD, many people with the condition live productive lives. People with HPD who participate in talk therapy experience positive outcomes as they gain insight into their condition and function better socially .
However, people with severe HPD may experience frequent problems at work, in social and/or romantic relationships.
Can histrionic personality disorder be prevented?
Although HPD usually cannot be prevented, treatment can help a person prone to the condition learn more effective ways to deal with provocative behaviors, thoughts, and situations .
The most important thing to remember is that HPD is a mental health condition. As with any mental health condition, seeking help as soon as you notice symptoms can help reduce the disruption to your life . Mental health professionals can provide treatment plans to help you manage your thoughts and behaviors.
Family members of people with HPD often experience stress, depression, grief, and loneliness. It's important to take care of your own mental health and seek help if you're experiencing these symptoms .
Final Take-Home Message
Okay, so I hope you've understood something from what we've talked about. In summary:
- Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a real mental health condition . It's not something anyone does on purpose.
- What's mainly happening here is that they constantly seek the attention of others due to low self-esteem .
- Psychotherapy is the best treatment for this . It helps you understand your behaviors and thoughts and change them.
- If you or someone you know has these symptoms, don't be afraid or ashamed to seek medical advice . Getting help early can make life much easier.
- If you are a family member of someone with HPD, you should also think about your own mental health . You need support too.
We hope this information is useful to you. May everyone have a healthy mind and a healthy life!
` Histrionic Personality Disorder, HPD, personality disorders, mental health, behavior patterns, attention, therapy
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