Histrionic Personality Disorder: Symptoms and Causes

Histrionic personality disorder is considered one of the most common personality disorders and one of the most impactful for those affected. Its symptoms and their severity vary from one person to another. Fortunately, effective psychological and medication-based treatments are available to ease these symptoms and treat the disorder without significant aftereffects.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Histrionic personality disorder belongs to a broad group of mental health conditions known as Cluster B personality disorders. In general, this group is characterized by dramatic and highly emotional feelings and eccentric behavior.

People with histrionic personality disorder have a distorted and negative view of themselves. They often base their self-esteem on the approval of others, creating a need to attract attention that can lead to unusual behavior. Most people diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder are women, perhaps because men report their symptoms less often than women.

Cluster B Personality Disorders

Personality disorders are mental health conditions that can lead to persistent, long-term patterns of unhealthy thinking, feelings, and behavior. Specialized psychological bodies classify personality disorders into three groups.

Each group has unique traits used to classify symptoms. Four personality disorders belong to Cluster B personality disorders:

• Antisocial personality disorder.
• Borderline personality disorder.
• Histrionic personality disorder.
• Narcissistic personality disorder.
• Symptoms of different personality disorders within this group may appear together.

Symptoms and Signs of Histrionic Personality Disorder

Histrionic personality disorder is not considered a severe and destructive mental disorder. Most people affected by it may successfully fulfill their roles in society and at work. In fact, people with this disorder usually have excellent interpersonal skills, but unfortunately they often use these skills to manipulate others rather than build healthy social relationships.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, people with histrionic personality disorder experience at least five of the following symptoms:

• They are usually uncomfortable in situations where they are not the center of attention.
• Their interactions and behavior toward others are described as sexually inappropriate or provocative.
• They express their emotions rapidly and superficially, and these expressions change continually.
• They consistently use their physical appearance to attract attention.
• Their speech is excessively impressionistic and lacks detail.
• They express emotions in an exaggerated manner.
• They are easily influenced by others or by circumstances.
• They consider relationships more intimate than they really are.

If you have histrionic personality disorder, you may become easily frustrated or bored with routine, make impulsive decisions before thinking, or threaten suicide to attract attention.

Causes of Histrionic Personality Disorder

• The exact cause of histrionic personality disorder is unknown. Scientists believe it results from a combination of environmental and genetic factors.
• Family history: Some families have a history of histrionic personality disorder, lending credibility to the theory that the condition may be partly explained by genetics.
• Surrounding environment: Children of parents with this disorder may simply display behavior learned from their parents. A lack of discipline and the positive reinforcement of dramatic behavior during childhood may contribute to the disorder.
• A child may learn these behaviors as a way to attract their parents’ attention. Regardless of the cause, the disorder usually appears in early adulthood.

Diagnosing Histrionic Personality Disorder

• There is no specific diagnostic test for histrionic personality disorder.
• If your symptoms are troubling you and you need healthcare,
• your primary care provider will likely begin by taking your complete medical history and
• performing a physical examination to rule out physical problems that could be causing your symptoms.
• If your primary care provider finds no physical cause for your symptoms, they will refer you to a psychiatrist.
• Psychiatrists are specially trained to recognize and treat mental disorders.
• They ask informed questions to gain a clear understanding of your behavioral history. This careful assessment of your behavior helps your primary care provider make a diagnosis appropriate to your condition.

However, most people with this condition do not believe they need treatment or help, making diagnosis difficult. Many people are also diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder after attending therapy for depression or anxiety, which they often experience following a failed relationship or other interpersonal conflicts.

Complications

Histrionic personality disorder can:

• Affect a person’s social, professional, or romantic relationships and how they cope with losses and setbacks.
• Cause a person to change jobs frequently because of boredom and an inability to cope with frustration and repeated failure.
• Make them crave novelty and excitement, leading them into risky situations.
• All these factors increase the likelihood of depression or intensify the person’s suicidal thoughts.

Treatment of Histrionic Personality Disorder

Treatment may be difficult if you have this disorder. Like many people affected by it, you may believe that you do not need treatment or find the routine of a treatment program discouraging. However, psychotherapy—and sometimes medication—can help you manage the condition and ease the symptoms of histrionic personality disorder.

Psychotherapy

• Psychotherapy is the most common treatment option for this disorder.
• It involves talking with your doctor about your feelings and experiences.
• Such conversations can help your doctor identify the reasons behind your actions and behavior.
• Your doctor can teach you how to communicate with people in positive ways instead of continually trying to attract their attention.

Medication

• If you experience depression or anxiety as part of histrionic personality disorder, your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication.

Can This Disorder Be Prevented?

Although preventing this disorder may not be possible, treatment can allow someone at risk of developing histrionic personality disorder to learn more effective ways of coping with situations and building relationships within their community and surroundings.

When Should You Contact a Healthcare Provider?

See a healthcare provider or psychiatrist as soon as possible if you or someone else has symptoms of histrionic personality disorder, to prevent the condition from progressing and to treat the symptoms.

The Long-Term Outlook for Someone With Histrionic Personality Disorder

• Many people with this disorder lead normal lives, can work, and participate in society.
• In fact, many of them behave very well in informal situations while experiencing problems only in romantic relationships.
• Depending on your condition, the disorder may affect your ability to remain in a job, maintain relationships, or stay focused on your life goals.
• It may also lead to a continual desire for adventure, exposing you to risky situations.
• This disorder affects how you cope with losses and setbacks.
• It can make you feel more frustrated when you do not get or achieve what you want.
• You should contact your primary care provider if you experience symptoms of histrionic personality disorder, particularly if they affect your daily life, work, or ability to live a happy and fulfilling life.

Sources:

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001531.htm

https://www.healthline.com/health/cluster-b-personality-disorders

https://www.healthline.com/health/histrionic-personality-disorder