Millions of people in the United States live with a mental health condition that impacts their daily functioning. Personality disorders are one type of mental health condition that can affect people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Personality disorders can make many aspects of life more challenging.
This article will explore a personality disorder called histrionic personality disorder (HPD). You will learn:
- The symptoms of histrionic personality disorder
- What causes histrionic personality disorder
- What to expect in treatment for HPD
- Where to find HPD treatment and mental health support
If you or a loved one lives with a mental health condition, you are not alone. Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
What is Histrionic Personality Disorder?
Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition. It is one of the Cluster B personality disorders. These disorders involve dramatic or unpredictable behaviors.
The word “histrionic” means “melodramatic or theatrical.” Some of the most common symptoms of HPD include:
- Rapidly changing emotions
- A desire to be the center of attention
- A fluctuating or distorted sense of self.
People with histrionic personality disorder require external validation to maintain their self-esteem. They rely on others to notice and like them or approve of their decisions. Their need for attention and appreciation can be overwhelming.
People with HPD often act inappropriately or dramatically to draw attention to themselves. They may engage in attention-seeking behaviors often.
Treating HPD can be challenging. People with the condition typically do not believe their thoughts or behaviors are problematic.
Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder
Histrionic personality disorder can cause people to have a deep need for external validation. People with HPD may seek attention in destructive ways. They may express superficial or excessive emotions. They may act in an over-sexualized way to get people to notice them.
Some of the other characteristic behaviors of those with histrionic personality disorder include:
- Being overly dramatic in their emotional expressions
- Excessive focus on their physical appearance
- Being excessively flirtatious, even with people they are not attracted to
- Exhibiting inappropriate sexual behaviors for attention or validation
- Using grandiose language or speaking dramatically without facts to support their opinions
- Using their appearance to get attention
- Being easily influenced by people they admire
- Having primarily shallow or “fake” interactions with others
- Believing their relationships are closer than they are in reality
- Experiencing depression and anxiety if they are not the center of attention
Treating histrionic personality disorder can be challenging. People may not recognize their behaviors as destructive or unusual. However, without treatment, people with HPD are at increased risk of:
- Substance use disorder (SUD)
- Anxiety and panic disorders
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Somatic symptom disorder (excessive worry about physical symptoms)
- Conversion disorder (a loss of functioning in an area of the nervous system)
Recognizing the symptoms of histrionic personality disorder can help you identify a problem and seek treatment.
Most people with HPD begin to develop symptoms during late adolescence or in their early 20s. Women are more likely to develop HPD than men. Overall, histrionic personality disorder is rare, with only about 1% of the United States population developing it.
Diagnosing Histrionic Personality Disorder
An accurate diagnosis is the first step in treating histrionic personality disorder. In many cases, people with HPD do not recognize they have this condition. They may instead seek treatment for anxiety, depression, or other symptoms related to HPD.
Generally, a mental health professional will perform diagnostic testing to provide an accurate diagnosis. Diagnostic testing may include questions about:
- Relationships
- Symptoms
- Experience
- Impulse control
- Behaviors
The mental health specialist may recommend other forms of testing if they identify signs of HPD.
To receive a diagnosis of HPD, people must meet five or more of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria. These include:
- Feeling uncomfortable if they are not the center of attention
- Using physical appearance to get attention
- A history of provocative or seductive behaviors
- Shallow or quickly-shifting emotions
- Easily influenced by others
- Dramatic or vague speech
- Thinks about relationships as more close or intimate than they are
- A history of exaggerated or dramatic emotions
An accurate diagnosis can help people get the appropriate help to manage this condition.
Agape Behavioral Center accepts many private insurance plans
Treatment for Histrionic Personality Disorder: What to Expect
It isn’t possible to “cure” a personality disorder. However, people can get comprehensive treatment to effectively reduce or manage their symptoms. People may participate in treatment in community mental health centers, clinics, private practices, and other settings.
Levels of Care
Depending on the severity of a person’s HPD and whether or not they have any co-occurring conditions, they can attend treatment at various levels of care. HPD treatment options include:
- Residential mental health treatment – Residential mental health treatment provides 24/7 care in a structured environment for individuals who need intensive support.
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – A partial hospitalization program (PHP) offers structured therapy during the day while allowing individuals to return home in the evenings.
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) – Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) provide several hours of therapy per week while allowing individuals to maintain daily responsibilities.
- Outpatient programs (OP) – Outpatient programs (OP) offer flexible therapy sessions for those who need ongoing support but at a lower level of care.
- Weekly counseling and therapy – Weekly counseling and therapy provide regular one-on-one support to help individuals manage symptoms and develop coping strategies.
Treatment for histrionic personality disorder includes:
Psychotherapy for HPD
HPD is primarily treated with psychotherapy, as there is no specific medication designed to address the disorder itself. Therapy helps individuals understand their behaviors, develop healthier ways to seek validation, and build more stable relationships.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used to help patients recognize distorted thinking patterns and manage emotional reactions in a more balanced way. Psychodynamic therapy may also be beneficial in exploring past experiences that contribute to attention-seeking behaviors.
Other therapies used may include:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
Interpersonal therapy (IPT), which focuses on developing healthier relationships and improving self-esteem, can be especially helpful when treating people with HPD.
Medication
While medication isn’t a direct treatment for HPD, it may be prescribed to manage symptoms of co-occurring conditions like depression or anxiety. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or mood stabilizers can sometimes help with emotional regulation.
Support Groups and Lifestyle Changes for People With HPD
Support groups provide a safe space for people with HPD to share experiences, gain support, and develop healthier coping skills. Connecting with others can reduce isolation and encourage self-awareness.
Lifestyle changes, like mindfulness, regular exercise, and structured routines, can help manage emotions and improve stability. With support and healthy habits, individuals with HPD can build stronger relationships and a more balanced life.
Find Histrionic Personality Disorder Treatment Now
It is essential to seek treatment as soon as you recognize the signs of histrionic personality disorder. Comprehensive treatment programs can help people explore the roots of their disorder. They can help people learn new, healthy ways to manage their symptoms.
If you or someone you love lives with a mental health condition, you are not alone. Contact the intake specialists at Agape Behavioral Health to learn about our comprehensive programs or to schedule appointments.
References:
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Histrionic Personality Disorder
- NIH: Change processes in psychotherapy for patients presenting with histrionic personality disorder
