Histrionic personality disorder involves behavior that is focused on drawing attention to themselves in a dramatic or emotional way.Problems with emotional regulation and impulse control are included in histrionic personality disorder.If you are seeking a mental health diagnosis, work with a psychologist who can provide treatment and support.
Step 1: Look at attention-seeking behaviors.
A person with histrionic personality disorder can dress in ways to get attention.They may wear outrageous clothes or costumes as a way to get attention.These people can easily be the center of attention at events and social situations.The behavior may be seen as inappropriate, over-the-top, or overly seductive.In order to get people's attention, behavior may be overly theatrical or flamboyant.A woman may wear a wedding dress to another woman's wedding, or a man may show up in an animal costume to a formal event.Someone with HPD may wear revealing clothing to work, or put on a lot of jewelry or makeup.These people are considered to be the life of the party.
Step 2: There is an overdramatic response to problems.
Minor problems can be responded to by a person with histrionic personality disorder.The person may exaggerate the severity of the problem or create other problems that don't exist.Minor problems allow the person to draw more attention to themselves and create drama.A person may date someone for a week and then threaten suicide if the relationship doesn't work out.The person may blame other people or external factors for their own problems.If the business fails due to poor decision making, they may blame staff, location, bad customers, or other external factors.The person's behavior or reactions may be so intense that they may frighten, humiliate, or otherwise put off the people around them.
Step 3: There is excessively dramatic speech.
The person may speak very loudly.They may have strong opinions.When pressed, this person may be hesitant to provide any evidence for the opinions.The person may be more concerned with expressing their opinion than supporting it.The person may have strong and controversial beliefs, such as saying that all countries should be communist or that the government should regulate children.They may not give a direct answer when asked why.They might say that the current project will make the company go bankrupt and interrupt a meeting at work.
Step 4: Take notice of self-centered behavior.
A person with HPD may seem to be overly focused on themselves, wanting to talk about themselves or their thoughts, without showing much concern for other people's perspectives or problems.A person with HPD may have strained relationships and others may view them as selfish.
Step 5: Be aware of impulsivity.
A person with HPD might constantly seek out high-energy situations and do things without thinking.They may have strong or harsh reactions to things without thinking about how their actions will affect other people.
Step 6: Take a close look at shallow emotions.
A person with histrionic personality disorder can be dramatic, shallow and unable to relate to others in their own emotional experience.Emotions can change quickly and others may see the individual as insincere.A person may say they are upset about something, but later become almost euphoric, as though the upsetting event never happened.They might feel their emotions in shallow extremes.It may seem like the person is faking their feelings or acting out their emotions, like they're putting on a performance.Is the person hard to relate to?Does this person make it about themselves if they bring up a problem?
Step 7: There is a need for reassurance or approval.
Someone may want to know that they are accepted by others.The individual can check in on their social status, do things to gain attention from others or create a reaction.This person may be susceptible to peer pressure.They may be influenced by other people's opinions.To gain approval, this person may do things like buy gifts to gain acceptance, or put down other people to make themselves look better.The person may be sensitive to criticism or disapproval.This could cause an emotional explosion or blame others.
Step 8: There is an overestimation of how close relationships are.
A person with histrionic personality disorder may think they have many close friends.The level of intimacy in a relationship may be underestimated by this person.The behavior can affect intimate relationships.The person may act like they are familiar with others.Someone with HPD may make inappropriate advances on others, such as propositioning coworkers or people they don't know.They are trying to befriend their doctor.
Step 9: It is a good idea to notice how uncomfortable it is to be ignored.
The person may create attention around themselves because of fear.A person gets social validation by getting the attention of others.The person may feel unappreciated if they are not in the center of attention.They might do something crazy to feel comfortable again.Do you notice that this person craves attention and can't be without it?When ignored or overshadowed, how does this person respond?
Step 10: The person is easily bored.
Someone with HPD may become restless with mundane activities.They can often change things up or drop things midway through the project.They thrive on excitement and can't be without it.Someone with HPD may switch from job to job, friendship to friendship, and relationship to relationship as a means of excitement.
Step 11: There is a distinction between histrionic personality disorder and anxiety disorders.
People with anxiety disorders may act like they are more serious than they really are.They may need a lot of reassurance.There isn't usually a desire to be the center of attention.Hypochondria sufferers are more likely to go to the doctor if they genuinely think they're sick, not to get attention.Histrionic personality disorder can cause anxiety.
Step 12: Distinguish histrionic personality disorder from NPD.
HPD can involve attention-seeking behavior, self-centeredness, difficulty handling criticism, and trouble with empathy.The person doesn't need to feel appreciated because of their inflated self-importance.There are signs of NPD that include: Heightened feelings of importance, entitlement, or talent, Manipulating others for their own gain, and lack of empathy.
Step 13: There are two personality disorders, histrionic and borderline personality disorder.
HPD and BPD can involve intense relationships and behavior.Someone with BPD may have a negative self- image, feel their emotions very intensely, and may see relationships in black-and-white.Fear of abandonment, taking action to avoid being abandoned, and struggling to trust other people are some of the signs of BPD.
Step 14: There are two personality disorders, histrionic and dependent.
Both histrionic and dependent personality disorders involve an intense need for approval.A person with dependent personality disorder tends to avoid theatric or seductive behavior of HPD due to fear of abandonment.Being unable to take care of themselves or be independent is a sign of dependent personality disorder.
Step 15: A psychological evaluation is required.
A psychologist can use evaluation and observation to diagnose histrionic personality disorder.Personal, medical, and family history will be discussed.The psychologist can assess the severity of the symptoms.Behavior, appearance, and personal history are some of the factors that can be assessed.It is important to assess a person's social and romantic history to understand how they relate with others.
Step 16: Pick out the beginning.
Histrionic personality disorder can be diagnosed in the late teens or early 20s.Adolescents usually display behavior that is immature or dramatic, but this behavior typically decreases and is replaced with more mature or socially adaptive behavior and emotional regulation.Histrionic personality disorder may be considered if the behavior does not improve into adulthood.Women are more likely to be diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder than men, and this may reflect socially acceptable roles.A woman who is more sexually forward may be considered normal for men.
Step 17: There are disorders that are co-occurring.
Many people with histrionic personality disorder experience depression and anxiety as a result of their conflicts with others or after a failed romantic relationship.They may feel depressed when not in the center of attention or alone.Depression can be treated to cope with it.Substance use is common in histrionic personality disorders.Substance treatment may be necessary if a person uses substances that affect their functioning.
Step 18: There is no known cause of histrionic personality disorder.
There are no direct links associated with histrionic personality disorder.Genetics and early childhood experiences may contribute to the experience of this personality disorder.Learning behaviors or responses from adults are possible childhood experiences.As a child, this could be unpredictable attention.A child can become confused if feedback is inconsistent or if they don't know how to interpret it.