Histrionic personality disorder is a personality disorder in which a person tends to be overly emotional, attention-seeking, dramatic and overly interactive in relationships. This disorder usually develops in young adulthood. Individuals with histrionic personality disorder constantly seek attention and approval from those around them.
Histrionic personality disorder can negatively affect an individual's social and professional relationships. Treatment usually focuses on psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy or psychodynamic therapy. These therapies can help the individual to improve emotional regulation skills, strengthen relationship skills and change negative behavior patterns.
Why Does Histrionic Personality Disorder Occur?
The exact causes of histrionic personality disorder are not known, but it is thought to be a combination of several factors. These factors may include the following:
Genetic Factors: Histrionic personality disorder may be more common in individuals with a family history of similar traits. Genetic predisposition may be effective in the development of this disorder.
Childhood Experiences: Negative experiences in childhood, especially excessive praise or excessive criticism, may contribute to the emergence of histrionic personality disorder. Emotional deficits in the family or rewarding overly engaging behaviors may also be effective.
Personality Development: An individual's personality structure and development can play a role in the development of histrionic personality disorder. Key personality traits that trigger this condition can include a need for attention, emotional dysregulation and a strong desire for approval.
Brain Functions: Studies have been conducted on the functional differences of specific brain regions or neural circuits in relation to histrionic personality disorder. However, research in this area is not yet complete.
Cultural and Social Factors: Certain cultural norms or societal expectations may influence an individual's behavior. Society's demand for certain traits may trigger or reinforce the symptoms of histrionic personality disorder.
What are the Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder?
Symptoms of histrionic personality disorder are often related to an individual's emotional expression, relationships and behaviors. These symptoms may include:
Dramatic and Theatrical Behavior: The individual has overly dramatic reactions to everyday events and often behaves in an attention-grabbing, theatrical manner.
Emotional Fluctuations: Having rapid and pronounced emotional shifts. Tendency to change emotional states frequently and dramatically.
Constant Need for Attention: The individual constantly seeks the attention of others and frequently expresses the need to be the center of attention.
Superficial Relationships: Tendency to form relationships that lack depth, are often superficial and temporary. Frequent over-commitment and quick attachment in relationships.
Sexual Provocation: Tendency to exhibit sexually explicit and provocative behavior. Trying to attract attention with sexuality.
Sensitivity and Vulnerability: Hypersensitivity to negative criticism, easily offended and overly dependent on the approval of others.
Manipulative Behavior: The tendency to engage in manipulative behaviors in order to influence and control others.
Lack of Focus on Details: A tendency to focus on the big picture and not pay attention to details. Rapid flow of thought and tendency towards generalizations.
How is Histrionic Personality Disorder Diagnosed?
Histrionic personality disorder is usually diagnosed through a comprehensive assessment by a specialist psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. This assessment process focuses on the individual's general health, psychosocial history, family history and symptoms. The specialist assesses according to DSM-5 criteria using clinical assessment, mental status examination and measurement tools.
The diagnostic process focuses on factors such as the persistence and prevalence of the individual's symptoms and how much they affect his or her daily life, with an emphasis on ruling out other possible causes. Psychotherapy is usually recommended for individuals diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder.
How is Histrionic Personality Disorder Treated?
The treatment of histrionic personality disorder is usually psychotherapy (therapy) focused. Below are some of the treatment methods:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): It is a type of therapy frequently used in the treatment of histrionic personality disorder. It focuses on understanding the individual's thought patterns, recognizing and changing negative thoughts.
Psychodynamic Therapy: It is used to understand the unconscious processes underlying histrionic personality traits. It focuses on understanding the individual's past experiences and emotional content in the therapy process.
Emotional Regulation: Individuals with histrionic personality disorder often experience emotional fluctuations. Therapy includes strategies for understanding these emotional fluctuations and improving regulation skills.
Relationship Skills: Therapy sessions can be organized that focus on learning the skills necessary for the individual to establish healthier and more sustainable relationships.
Medication Therapy: Although there is no specific medication for histrionic personality disorder, in some cases medication may be considered for accompanying symptoms, such as depression or anxiety. However, medication is usually used in combination with other therapeutic methods.
Hysterical Personality Disorder and Histrionic Personality Disorder
Hysterical personality disorder defines a condition that complicates the individual's ability to maintain identity integrity and is shaped around the defense mechanism of suppression. It shows a tendency to be unattractive and competitive, especially towards individuals of the same sex.
Histrionic personality disorder, on the other hand, refers to a condition in which identity integrity is uncertain and emotional inconsistencies are frequently experienced. The individual has difficulty in distinguishing between himself/herself and the other party in dyadic relationships, and his/her emotional state can change rapidly regardless of gender. Both disorders can negatively affect daily life and social relationships. Seeking professional help can help to understand and cope with the symptoms and improve quality of life.