*Histrionic Personality Disorder *Narcissistic Personality Disorder

*Borderline Personality Disorder *Antisocial Personality Disorder

--Individuals with these disorders share a tendency to be dramatic, emotional and erratic.

Histrionic Personality(301.50) W Disorderhat is Histrionic

Personality Disorder (HPD)

Histrionic

means dramatic or theatrical

One of a group of conditions called dramatic personality disorders. People with these disorders have intense, unstable emotions and distorted selfimages.

Have an overwhelming desire to be noticed, and often behave dramatically or inappropriately to get attention. People act in a very emotional and dramatic way that draws attention to themselves. Utilize the defense mechanisms of repression, denial, and dissociation.

Characteristics of HPD
Acting Out - Acting Out behavior refers to a subset of personality disorder traits that are more outwardly-destructive than selfdestructive. "Always" & "Never" Statements - "Always" & "Never" Statements are declarations containing the words "always" or "never". They are commonly used but rarely true. Anger - People who suffer from personality disorders often feel a sense of unresolved anger and a heightened or exaggerated perception that they have been wronged, invalidated, neglected or abused. Baiting and Picking Fights - Baiting and Picking Fights is the practice of generating a provocative action or statement for the purpose of obtaining an angry, aggressive or emotional response from another person. Belittling, Condescending and Patronizing - Belittling, condescending & patronizing speech is a passive-aggressive approach to giving someone a verbal put-down while maintaining a facade of reasonableness or friendliness. Blaming - Blaming is the practice of identifying a person or people responsible for creating a problem, rather than identifying ways of dealing with the problem. Bullying - Bullying is any systematic action of hurting a person from a position of relative physical, social, economic or emotional strength. Cheating - Cheating is sharing a romantic or intimate relationship with somebody when you are already committed to a monogamous relationship with someone else. Circular Conversations - Circular Conversations are arguments which go on almost endlessly, repeating the same patterns with no real resolution. Compulsive Lying - Compulsive Lying is a term used to describe lying frequently out of habit, without much regard for the consequences to others and without having an obvious motive to lie. A compulsive liar is someone who habitually lies. Denial

- When you feel sadder than you think you should, for longer than you think you should - but still can't seem to break out of it - that's depression. People who suffer from personality disorders are often also diagnosed with depression resulting from mistreatment at the hands of others, low self-worth and the results of their own poor choices. Favoritism - Favoritism is the practice of systematically giving positive, preferential treatment to one child, subordinate or associate among a group of peers. Hysteria - Hysteria is inappropriate over-reaction to bad news or disappointments, which diverts attention away from the problem and towards the person who is having the reaction. Infantilization - Infantilization is the practice of treating a child as if they are much younger than their actual age.

Mood Swings - Mood swings are unpredictable, rapid, dramatic emotional cycles which cannot be readily explained by changes in external circumstances. Panic Attacks - Panic Attacks are short intense episodes of fear or anxiety, often accompanied by physical symptoms, such as hyperventilating, shaking, sweating and chills. Sabotage - Sabotage is the spontaneous disruption of calm or status quo in order to serve a personal interest, provoke a conflict or draw attention. Testing - Testing is the practice of repeatedly forcing another individual to demonstrate or prove their love or commitment to the relationship.

Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) Needing to be the center of attention (self-centeredness)
Dress provocatively and exhibit inappropriately seductive or flirtatious behavior Shift emotions rapidly Act very dramatically as though performing before an audience with exaggerated emotions and expressions, yet appears to lack sincerity Be overly concerned with physical appearance Constantly seek reassurance or approval Be easily influenced by others

Be excessively sensitive to criticism or disapproval

Beginning projects without finishing them or skipping from one event to another
Make rash decisions Blaming failure or disappointment on others Have difficulty maintaining relationships, often seeming fake or shallow in their dealings with others Threaten or attempt suicide to get attention

Causes
The exact cause of histrionic personality disorder is unknown, but many mental health professionals believe that both learned and inherited factors play a role in its development. For example, the tendency for histrionic personality disorder to run in families suggests that a genetic susceptibility for the disorder might be inherited. However, the child of a parent with this disorder might simply be repeating learned behavior. Other environmental factors that might be involved include a lack of criticism or punishment as a child, positive reinforcement that is given only when a child completes certain approved behaviors, and unpredictable attention given to a child by his or her parent(s), all leading to confusion about what types of behavior earn parental approval.

Prevalence
The
prevalence in the general population is estimated at 2 to 3 percent (2-3%) and some studies suggest that this disorder occurs often in

WOMEN
than men.
(APA, 2000; Widger & Bornstein, 2001)

difficult. However, they might seek help if depression possibly associated with a loss or a failed relationship or another problem caused by their thinking and behavior causes them distress.

Psychotherapy (a type of counseling) is generally the treatment of choice for histrionic personality
disorder. The goal of treatment is to help the individual uncover the motivations and fears associated with his or her thoughts and behavior, and to help the person learn to relate to others in a more positive way.

Medication might be used to treat the distressing symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, that
might co-occur with this disorder.