PSYCH66 - Histrionic Personality disorder

Histrionic Personality D/O definition

pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts

Histrionic Personality D/O characteristics

• deeply feel that they should be the focus of attention + do things that bring attn to themselves

  • life of the part, dress provocatively, make up stories, fish for compliments

• shallow: very surface level

• much of the attn seeking behavior = of a sexual nature even in professional settings when it is extremely inappropriate

• very sensitive to critiques about appearance

• speech has a lot of style, flair for the dramatic

• dramatic and intense emotions can be turned off and on

• talk about others with a sense of closeness even if the person isn’t familiar

• spend a lot of time on appearance and grooming

Other information about Histrionic PD

• diagnosed more in women but also seen in men

• excitement seeking, become bored easily

Which personality disorder is the MOST LIKELY to seek treatment and Why?

Histrionic PD —> depressive symptoms

What do people with Histrionic PD care the most about?

Attention!! They don’t care if you admire/love them, they just want you to pay attention to them

How is Histrionic PD different from narcissism?

there is NO superiority complex in histrionic PD

Diagnostic Criteria - Histrionic Personality D/O

5 or more of the following

• uncomfortable in situations where they are NOT the center of attention

• interaction with others —> inappropriately sexually seductive or provocative behavior

• Displays rapidly shifting/shallow expression of emotion

• uses physical appearance to draw attention to self

• style of speech = excessively impressionistic + lacking in detail

• shows self-dramatization, theatricality, exaggerated expression of emotion

• is suggestible, easily influenced by others

• considers relationships to be more intimate than they are