Histrionic Personality Disorder

Question: How many men have met a woman with a Histrionic personality disorder? Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval and inappropriate seductiveness, usually beginning in early adulthood. The essential feature of histrionic personality disorder is an excessive pattern of emotionality and attention-seeking behavior. These individuals are lively, dramatic, enthusiastic, and flirtatious. They may be inappropriately sexually provocative, express strong emotions with an impressionistic style, and be easily influenced by others. Women with HPD are described as self-centered, self-indulgent, and intensely dependent on others. They are emotionally labile and cling to others in the context of immature relationships. As well, they over-identify with others; they project their own unrealistic, fantasized intentions onto people with whom they are involved. They are emotionally shallow to avoid distress and have difficulty understanding themselves or others in any depth. Selection of marital or sexual partners is often highly inappropriate. The majority of the time their partners will have symptoms of personality disorders, equal to, or far worse than their own. Women with HPD often tend to enter into abusive relationships with partners who increase the abuse as time wears on. Pathology increases with the level of intimacy in relationships, which is exactly the same for males. Women may show inappropriate and intense anger masking their internal battle between the quest for intimacy and avoiding pathology. Women with borderline tendencies often form entirely negative convictions towards the male gender and treat them like pawns as a defense mechanism concealing their own inadequacies. They may engage in self-mutilation and/or manipulative suicide threats as one aspect of general manipulative interpersonal behavior.[2] The HPD is highly reactive. If there is another major disorder present, such as delusional disorder, then emotional intensity will create anger, rage, abuse and distance in relationships.

Answer: Oh yes I have met tons of them. it seems to be a very prominent problem with women any more. It seems like once a woman reaches mother in law status the disease comes out in full bloom.

Question: Have you been close to someone with Histrionic Personality Disorder? I would like to hear from people who have had a close relative or friend or significant other who they know or thought had histrionic personality disorder. What are your thoughts on what causes it, how it affects close relationships, kids, and other things in life? If you have it yourself, how did you find out and what are you doing about it?

Answer: I don't have it, but was close to someone with it. It...literally made me feel like, well, not being a nice person. I stayed in my room and didn't take her calls when she was too bad off. I couldn't stand it. It's like being told you're wonderful then told you're worthless, then all of a sudden an airplane nosedives into the living room and you're like, where'd that come from? Seriously. Those histrionic people are predictable, but also UNPREDICTABLE coz all of a sudden, you don't know what they will do. You just know they're upset and didn't get their way. They tend to think all things not only ought to be focused on them, but they are. If someone pays any little bit of attention to someone else, oh that is a big mistake. And you can't have other friends either. Nope.... And if you break off, you're the one with all the problems. Not them. If things are going well for a little bit, expect her/him to create some drama.

Question: Do people with histrionic personality disorder know they have it? I have a friend who tells me she's histrionic. Now it would make sense, having tried to research it throughrougly. But I thought people with these personality disorders couldn't comprehend they have it, or they deny having it. Can people with histrionia know they have the disorder?

Answer: There are different kinds of knowing. She may know she's been given this diagnosis or label and what it means, but that doesn't mean she can easily behave differently. Some people take a label as license to continue to behave in ways that we would prefer they didn't. The concept of INSIGHT refers to self-awareness AND changing your behavior.

Question: Does anyone personally know someone who was diagnosed with Histrionic Personality Disorder? I would like to know if anyone either has been diagnosed or knows someone who has been diagnosed with Histrionic Personality disorder. What are the symptoms and what is the treatment?

Answer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histrionic_…

Question: How would you describe someone with Histrionic Personality Disorder? Without copy pasting, how would you describe someone with Histronic Personality Disorder? Is it related to narcissism? Thanks.

Answer: I would describe them as self centered, immature, and dillusional. they project what they think other people should be thinking about them, and then react to that. And they often shift the blame to other people for things that go wrong, rather than accepting fault themselves. ("it was you who ruined the relationship, if YOU had treated me better, I wouldn't have cheated on you") in relation to narcissism? narcissist tend to think they are better than everyone . They are "special" and that only other "special" people could truly understand them. They also think people are jealous of them. basicly, it's more internal.. They almost think they are "above" us ordinary folk... like spoiled royalty. --Histrionics don't understand why we are different from what is going on in their head (we didn't go by the script) --but Narcisist think that we don't understand the script at all, and are too dumb to know that and ask for his/her superior understanding.

Question: Natural cure for Histrionic Personality Disorder? I found that I am suffering from a condition called Histrionic Personality Disorder for the past 5 years or so. I am glad to finally understand why I am the way that I am, but I cannot afford any therapy etc. Does anyone know any free psych help for people with no insurance or money, or any NATURAL remedies such as diet or certain meditation etc? <3

Answer: A lot of areas have public mental health clinics that work with ppl who have no/low income and no insurance. There is a sliding scale based on income. You can call the hospital or ask around. As for natural remedies-positive thoughts, mediation, prayer, journaling, exercise, staying busy with enjoyable things, trying to be nicer and more sociable, trying to improve and change the way you think. Diets won't change your personality disorder eating healthy will make your body more healthy.

Question: If some one has histrionic Personality disorder what kind of people are they mostly attracted to? If some one has HPD what kind of a person are they more likely to be attracted to? Some one with gender confusion and low self esteem? If it's a woman are they more prone to have relations with the same sex?

Answer: they are mostly attracted to themselves.

Question: What if a relative of yours seems to have a histrionic personality disorder but is diagnosed with anxiety? Why must she take medication? Why is medication recommended for everything? If it's bad to pollute yourself with drugs and alcohol why do people advise drugs for a solution?

Answer: He/she can have both. Medication treats illness. You could just as well ask why diabetics "pollute their bodies" with medication. Without medication, severely mentally ill people lead miserable lives and sometimes kill themselves, just as a diabetic without medication just gets sicker and dies.

Question: What can I do to treat histrionic personality disorder? I was recently diagnosed as a pathological liar with HPD. Is there anything I can do besides therapy?

Answer: The problem you have is a situation where treatment is difficult: The cause of this disorder is unknown, but childhood events and genetics may both be involved. It occurs more frequently in women than in men, although some feel it is simply more often diagnosed in women because attention-seeking and sexual forwardness is less socially acceptable for women. People with this disorder are usually able to function at a high level and can be successful socially and at work. They may seek treatment for depression when romantic relationships end. They often fail to see their own situation realistically, instead tending to over dramatise and exaggerate. Responsibility for failure or disappointment is usually blamed on others. Treatment: Treatment is often prompted by depression associated with dissolved romantic relationships. Medication does little to affect this personality disorder, but may be helpful with symptoms such as depression. Psychotherapy may also be of benefit. Individuals who suffer from this disorder are usually difficult to treat for a multitude of reasons. As with most personality disorders, people present for treatment only when stress or some other situational factor within their lives has made their ability to function and cope effectively impossible. They are, however (unlike other people who suffer from personality disorders), much quicker to seek treatment and exaggerate their symptoms and difficulties in functioning. Because they also tend to be more emotionally needy, they are often reluctant to terminate therapy. if what you say is correct about your diagnosis, then what I have said will make sense to you ok? It's about not only accepting, but to agree and follow up with treatment. I believe that you can get help, but you must be honest at all time, (which I know is not easy for you to do). At least you have come this far, and i respect you for this. I will pray that you get the help you need, and will also pray that you continue to work with your therapist. Blessings

Question: can you have Histrionic Personality Disorder in episodes rather than be symptomatic all the time? I seem to be fine until something happens and I over react. It can be anything like people smoking on the bus or my mum making a tiny comment, anything! I've got most of the symptoms apart from the sexually provocative side of it. I've had symptoms since age of 13 and I'm now 28. I've been diagnosed with Cyclothymia and a "personality disorder".

Answer: Unfortunately, you don't give any details. Were you diagnosed with HPD? What kaes you think that you suffer from it? What are the symptoms and circumstances of their occurrence? You also didn't give your age. Personality disorders are diagnosed only after 18, but first symptoms must occur before this age and constitute a stable pattern. It is true that symptoms are more visible when a person is under stress, but as I've mentioned, I don't have any arguments to prove or to disprove your point. If you are so unsure, maybe turn to clinical psychologist or psychiatrist and tell them about your doubts. Or find DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for HPD and see if they apply to you. Best wishes!

Question: Do you know anyone who has histrionic personality disorder? According to the definition, they are self-centered, approval seeking, dramatic, manipulative, have a lack of empathy for others and are obsessed with how they look, sometimes giving off sexual vibes. How do you deal with this type of person on a daily basis?

Answer: it is sad that you asked "how do you DEAL with TYPE of person". they didn't choose to has this DISORDER. i have borderline personality with histrionic traits! HISTRIONIC PERSONALITY DISORDER: Causes The cause of this disorder is unknown, but childhood events and genetics may both be involved. It occurs more frequently in women than in men, although some feel it is simply more often diagnosed in women because attention seeking and sexual forwardness are less socially acceptable for women than for men. People with this disorder are usually able to function at a high level and can be successful socially and at work. They may seek treatment for depression when romantic relationships end. They often fail to see their own situation realistically, instead tending to overdramatize and exaggerate. Responsibility for failure or disappointment is usually blamed on others. Because they tend to crave novelty and excitement, they may place themselves in risky situations. All of these factors may lead to greater risk of developing depression. Diagnostic Evaluation A diagnosis can be made by knowing the patient's history and by doing a psychological examination. Individual displays five or more of the following criteria: 1.Is uncomfortable in situations in which he or she is not the center of attention 2.Interaction with others is often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior 3.Displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions 4.Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self 5.Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail 6.Shows self-dramatization, theatricality and exaggerated expression of emotion 7.Is suggestible, that is, easily influenced by others or circumstances 8.Considers relationships to be more intimate than they actually are. of the things listed i have 1,4,6 & 7! because i dont have a 5 or more of the sysptoms to meet the criteria i am only diagnosed with traits of this disorder. please keep in mind this is a DISORDER. i dont choose to live my life this way...it is a learned disorder steming from horrible childhood abuse. i tend to put on an act more than anything, not act like my true self. i put on a happy face regardless of what is going on in my life. i do like to be the "life of the party", i do take GREAT care of myself to assure i ALWAYS look my best. i will not leave the house without my hair done and make-up on! NEVER! i do blame others for SOME of my mistakes...there is so much i could right here... i am human just like you, i just look at life with a different view. i was taught that, i learned to be this way...with that said, i have been in therapy for the past 25yrs. i take tons of meds for not these disorders but for others as well. i take responsiblity for my actions. learn all i can to become more of the person i long to be. i feel pain, i get hurt, sad, lonely, happy, overwhelmed, have had my heart broken, been in love...just like anyone one else on this earth! just because i have this disorder shouldnt put me in a group, a class, or a TYPE of human being! my fiance lives with me very well, he supports me with my mental illness, loves me the way i am. he doesnt judge me, he doesnt think of me as different type of human being! I AM JUST HUMAN! i am NOT being mean in any way, just letting you there is more to people than just their disorders! (sorry for all the type O's) in a hurry

Question: Are you married and diagnosed with Histrionic Personality Disorder? I have read that most or all Histrionic Personality Disorder women cheat and all their relationships inevitably fail. Is this true? I would like to hear from women with HPD. Thanks.

Answer: I would say, not having that disorder but having been educated about it, that the drama can tend to get too much for the spouse, and that cheating is just another way to get attention, both of which can cause the marriage to fail.

Question: What is Histrionic personality disorder? What is it, what causes it, anything you can tell me would be very helpfull. Thank you for your time.

Answer: The cliff's notes version is "drama queen". The typical scenario involves either a person who's mother or father had the disorder or a person who was ignored or neglected as a child. Essentially, a person with histrionic personality disorder is over-dramatic, feels compelled to be the constant center of attention, and will go to great lengths to ensure that all eyes are focused on him/her.

Question: Which gender have you more often observed displaying histrionic personality disorder? KIA, I see it all the time, there's usually at least one at any poker run, rally or bar and grill.

Answer: I generally find more women with characteristics of HPD, but men of course have this too. Im not sure if women are more likely to have HPD, or they outwardly show it more than men.

Question: Does anyone suffer with Histrionic Personality disorder? Please help!? i have borderline personality disorder with histrionic traits. my questions are what is your life life living with histrionic disorder? do you have family/friends that believe in who you truly are? how often do you put on an act? (not being your true self) What problems have you encountered because of this personality disorder? thank you in advance for your input...i just need some help from other that live with is personality disorder! thank you for the info :)...i know what histrionic is...i want to know what your life is like with it.

Answer: I realize that you really have a lot that you are currently going through concerning your fiance, his 2 children and their dysfunctional mother....and I would imagine these issues combined with the disorders that you have been diagnosed with must really make the situation all that more stressful for you....I admit that I know very little about Histrionic Personality Disorder...I don't have any family or acquaintances with the disorder....but I have heard of it. Thank you TigerLilly for the information that you provided. I can only imagine what people with these kinds of disorders must go through and the frustrations you must feel. I certainly hope that anyone that suffers from HPD or any related disorders do get that the love and support that they need from families and friends.

Question: distinction between narcissistic personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder? i find a lot of the characteristics in narcissistic personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder to be very alike and i would just like a little help on some clear distinctions between the two. is it possible to have both? thanx <3

Answer: many personality disorders overlap... especially those two. from what i've come to understand, histrionic tends to have more of the emotional, sexual component to it, thinking that everyone is attracted to them in that manner. narcissistic is more about the grandiosity with apathy towards others... both seek attention, though... just for different reasons. some people want it all :)