Histrionic Personality Disorder

What is histrionic personality disorder?

The word histrionic means dramatic. People who have this disorder are overly dramatic, and minor situations can cause wild swings in emotions. They fear that people will ignore them or find them unattractive.

How does it occur?

The cause of this disorder is not known. Experts think it may be caused by differences in the brain or nervous system. It might also be related to problems in the family such as abuse, financial stresses, death of loved ones, or mental illness. The disorder usually appears in early adulthood. More women than men have this disorder.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of this disorder include:

• seeking to be the center of attention
• dressing flamboyantly or wear outrageous hairstyles
• acting or dressing sexually to get attention
• exaggerating every action and reaction
• getting bored quickly and craving excitement and new situations
• having rapid shifts of emotion that may seem phony
• being overly trusting and easily swayed by others
• manipulating others to try to get your needs met
• believing friendships and relationships are more intimate than they are

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider or therapist will ask about your symptoms and may give you a personality test. You may have lab tests to rule out medical problems. Your provider may ask you to change medicines or dosages you are currently taking to make sure medicines are not causing or increasing your symptoms. He or she will also rule out mood or anxiety disorders, attention deficit disorder, or substance abuse.

How is it treated?

Several kinds of therapy may be helpful:

• psychotherapy
• group therapy
• cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT)

Psychotherapy can help you see yourself more clearly. It helps you recognize the effects of your behavior on others. This can help you change behaviors that get in the way of living a satisfying life. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a way to help you identify and change thoughts you have that are not realistic. CBT can make you aware of unhealthy ways of thinking. It can also help you learn new thought and behavior patterns. DBT helps you learn to regulate your emotions, tolerate distress, manage yourself, and be more effective with other people.

Medicine is not used to treat this disorder, but may help if you also have problems with anxiety or depression. You may be hospitalized if you are suicidal.

When should I seek help?

If your symptoms are seriously interfering with your daily life, seek help from your healthcare provider or a mental health professional. Treatment can make a big difference in the overall quality of your life.

For more information, contact:

• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) at 800-950-NAMI. The Web site address is http://www.nami.org.
• Mental Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association or NMHA) at 800-969-6642. The Web site address is http://www.NMHA.org.