Histrionic Personality Disorder
Personality Disorders
A personality disorder is a persistent pattern of emotions, cognitions and behavior that results in enduring emotional distress for the person affected and/or for others and may cause difficulties with work and relationships. DSM-5 divides the personality disorders into three groups or clusters. The cluster division is based on resemblance. Cluster A is called the odd or eccentric clusters; it includes paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal personality disorders. Cluster B is the dramatic, emotional or erratic cluster; it consists of antisocial, borderline, histrionic, and narcissistic personality disorders. Cluster C is the anxious or fearful cluster, it includes avoidant, dependent and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders.
Cluster "B"
People diagnosed with the cluster B personality disorders - Antisocial, borderline, histrionicand narcissistic- all have behaviors that have been described as a dramatic, emotional, or erratic.
Histrionic Personality Disorder
Individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder tend to be overly dramatic and often seem almost to be acting, which is why the term histrionic, which means theatrical in manner, is used. People with histrionic Personality disorder are inclined to express their emotions in an exaggerated fashion, for example, hugging someone they have just met or crying uncontrollably during a sad movie. This disorder is mostly found in women.
SYMPTOMS
- Uncomfortable when not in limelight.
- Seductive in appearance and behavior.
- Display rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions.
- Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention.
- Self- Centered.
- Over dramatization.
- Vanity.
- Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic.
- Consider relationships to be more intimate than they actually are.
CAUSES
Psychological
Vain and self-centered.
Easily upset if ignored.
Vague and hyperbolic Impulsive.
Difficulty delaying gratification.
Biological
Possible link to antisocial disorder - women histrionic/men antisocial.
Social /Cultural
Over dramatic behavior attracts.
Seductive.
Approval Seeking.
TREATMENTS
People with Histrionic Personality Disorder showed little success during research. Rewards and fines might help. Focus on interpersonal relations should be there.
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REFERENCE
David H. Barlow, BOSTON UNIVERSITY
V. Mark Durand, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA- ST. PETERSBERG
2. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY: 9TH EDITION
Davision G.C., Neale, J.M. and Kring, A.M.
3. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
Allov. L.B.: Riskind, J.H. and Manos, M.J.
4. ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY AND MODERN LIFE. NY: Harper and Collins. 2000
Carson. R.C. and Butcher. N.J.