He Histrionic personality disorder Is a pattern characterized by excessive attention seeking, inappropriate seduction and excessive need for approval.
People with this disorder are dramatic, enthusiastic and presumptuous. It affects women more than men and has a prevalence in the general population of 3.2% and 10-15% in mental health institutions.
Other typical behaviors are egocentrism, self-will and manipulations. It is usually diagnosed early in adulthood.
What causes the histrionic disorder?
The exact cause of this personality disorder is unknown, although it is thought to be a result of environmental and genetic factors.
There are families that have a history of this disorder, which leads one to think that it is caused by genetic factors.
In fact, according to research, if a person has this personality disorder, he has a slight risk of transmitting it to his children.
However, histrionic children may be displaying behaviors that they have learned from their parents.
In addition, it may be a consequence of lack of discipline or a learned way of drawing attention.
Most professionals support a psychosocial model in which the causes are biological, genetic, social and psychological.
Therefore, there would be no single factor responsible, but would be a result of all four factors.
Main symptoms and characteristics
Most people with histrionic disorders function properly in society and have Good social skills , Although they tend to use them to manipulate or attract attention.
Where they usually have more problems is in personal relationships or Partner , In addition to dealing with losses or failures.
They often have difficulty viewing their personal situation realistically, dramatizing and exaggerating their difficulties.
They can go through frequent changes of work, as they get bored easily and prefer to give up than coping with frustration.
The most frequent symptoms are:
- According to the cognitive paradigm of Psychology, they are people with diffuse, simple, generalist and partial thoughts
- The world view they have is too inclement and hyperemotive
- They lack structured schemas to understand and confront a complex world, because they have limited attention
- Priority is to attract the attention of others
- Often they adopt the role of victim or protagonist in the relations of pair or in the groupings.
- Their behavior is usually described as dramatic, egocentric, manipulative, immature or exaggerated
- Theatricality and the need for attention and affection
- The manipulation can show it from suicide attempts, threats or blackmail
- They react quickly to situations in which reflection is needed
- They are exhibitionists, seducers, demanding and presumed
- Their emotions have great fluctuations; Can go from being excited to overexcited, from sad to crying exaggeratedly or from pissed off to furious
- They show little attention to details
- They themselves are considered as charming, sociable and agreeable
- They have a propensity for fleeting love affairs
- Because they do not feel loved, they try to compensate for it by trying to be sexually irresistible
- They behave"sparingly." Although it is easy to get their attention, it is also easy for their attention to change in the opposite direction
- They actively ask for praise and can manipulate others for attention and approval
- Give importance to hunches
- They are easily distracted and easily influenced by other people's opinions
- If they are asked to describe something, they usually respond with their impressions, not through objective analysis
Diagnosis
There is no specific test to diagnose this personality disorder. There are also no genetic tests or blood tests for diagnosis.
If no physical cause is found for the symptoms, the person should go to a psychiatrist or psychologist to get an appropriate evaluation.
However, most people with this condition believe that they do not need therapy, which makes diagnosis difficult.
Most are diagnosed when they come to treat themselves depression , anxiety Or have failed in various relationships.
Forecast
They can have serious problems in the labor, social and affective fields. On the other hand, they are at high risk of developing depression, as they are often affected by failures and losses, unable to cope with frustration when they do not get what they want.
Treatment
Histrionic individuals may seek treatment for problems of depression, anxiety, stress or problems in other fields; Relational and work.
In case they do not have any of these problems, they usually think that they do not need treatment.
Psychotherapy is the most effective treatment for this disorder. It deals especially with the feelings and experiences of the person, in order to determine the reasons for the behaviors.
In addition, you will learn to relate to others in a positive way, rather than drawing attention.
Other existing therapies are:
- Group therapy: it is suggested for the person to work the social skills and interpersonal relations
- Family therapy: for Teach assertiveness , Conflict management and problem-solving skills
- Meditation : To relax and get to know the feelings better. See here More of its benefits.
- Relaxation techniques
Medication
Psychotropic drugs are only recommended if the person manifests other symptoms such as depression or anxiety.
Because they tend to abuse drugs and suicidal tendencies, the administration period should be short.
Comorbidity
Other conditions and disorders that can occur in histrionic people are:
- Borderline , antisocial , dependent
- Narcissistic
- Depression, anxiety, panic
- Anorexia nervosa
- Substance abuse
Diagnosis according to DSM IV
He DSM IV Defines the histrionic personality disorder as:
A persistent pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning in early adulthood and presenting in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five or more of the following:
- Is uncomfortable in situations where it is not the center of attention
- The interaction with others is characterized by inappropriately seductive or provocative
- Shows great changes of emotions
- Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention
- Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail
- Shows dramatization, theatricality and exaggerated emotional expressions
- Easily influenced by others or by circumstances
- Considers relationships more intimate than they are in reality.