Did you ever know a person who always wants to be noticed, is over-expressive, or presents as theatrical in society? Although these characteristics can be seen just as personality traits of a person, what they might be pointing to is a more serious mental health problem called histrionic personality disorder (HPD).
What then is a histrionic personality disorder? HPD is a variant of a Cluster B personality disorder that is marked by high emotions, the propensity to be concerned about, as well as over-seeking attention. HPD is a true disorder despite the dramatization of such a condition through media because it can have a severe effect on the personal, professional, and emotional life of an individual.
At Orlando Treatment Solutions, we have a philosophy of catching early and treating early because we want people to lead a healthier more balanced life. Continue reading further to understand more of the symptoms of histrionic personality disorder, the causes of the disorder and how to achieve hope and healing through professional treatment of histrionic personality disorder.
Signs and Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder?
Learning about symptoms of the histrionic personality disorder is the initial stage to determine whether a relative or you may have this problem. HPD generally will show during adult life, but at the early stages of adulthood and it will influence interpersonal relations, work behavior, and emotional stability.
Key Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder
The following are the most typical signs and symptoms of histrionic personality disorder:
- Excessive Attention-Seeking Behavior
When people are not at the center, they usually have this discomfort and can go to extreme measures in order to draw attention and focus on themselves. - Inappropriate Seductive or Provocative Behavior
HPD individuals can be flirtatious and express it wherever they are, to seek affirmation or attention. - Rapidly Shifting and Shallow Emotions
Their emotions seem to be over-the-top and melodramatic and not very deep. They may be quite unpredictable in their type of emotional display. - Use of Physical Appearance for Attention
It is common to dress in a flamboyant style or attract attention through physical attractiveness. - Impressionistic Speech
They may use a lean style in speech with plenty of generality, emotional and dramatic content. - Easily Influenced by Others
Individuals with HPD tend to shift their attitude or practice to be liked and are susceptible to fashion or others who are authoritative. - Belief that Relationships are more intimate than they are
The other core trait is misinterpreting casual relationships as being closer and intimate than they is the case.
The identification of these symptoms of histrionic personality disorder can aid in the realization of the extent of this disorder and referral of the subject to the correct treatment of histrionic personality disorder.
Causes and Risk Factors for Histrionic Personality Disorder
What helps to clarify the histrionic personality disorder is the knowledge of the causes of this condition. Similar to other personality disorders, the causes of HPD are many-faceted.
1. Genetic Factors
There are studies indicating that it is easier to inherit personality traits. Individuals who have a family history of other personality disorders or other mental disorders tend to be prone to the development of HPD.
2. Environmental Influences
This is very important in early age environments. Disparate parental interests, overly permissive parents, or punitive parenting can all contribute to the development of HPD.
3. Learned Behavior
Some histrionic personality disorder behaviors could also be an observational learning behavior which a person adopts after observing a relative using his or her drama or emotional efforts to enact relationships.
4. Early Trauma
Due to trauma, particularly during formative developmental stages, maladaptive coping skills may result, as in HPD, including overexpression or manipulation, to be noticed or feel safe.
5. Personality Development
In the early age and young adulthood stage, the normal personality development can be hampered by some emotional and psychological processes that predispose to the development of the HPD.
The adverse interaction of these risk factors highlights the need for a supportive treatment approach that defines the nature of the disease in individuals and seeks effective solutions.
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How Treatment Can Help
Although histrionic personality disorder may be difficult, the quality of life of a person can be uplifted by the successful use of histrionic personality disorder treatments. At Orlando Treatment Solutions, we do it all when it comes to providing quality care as per the client’s needs.
1. Psychotherapy: The Cornerstone of Treatment
Talk therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is the best treatment of histrionic personality disorder. CBT assists in achieving the following:
- Be equipped with answers to their patterns of thoughts and behaviors
- Study alternative validation mechanisms that are not as damaging. Learn alternative validation means that are not so destructive
- Learn to keep emotional control and social skills
- Develop positive self-esteem which is independent of other people’s opinions
2. Group Therapy and Support Groups
Group interactions may provide a useful experience and enable individuals with HPD to get feedback within the framework of a safe situation. It also makes them know that they are not alone in their suffering.
3. Medication (If Needed)
Though no medicine falls under the HPD condition, patients who experience it along with anxiety, depression or mood disorders might find some drugs, such as antidepressants or mood stabilizers, useful in the process of histrionic personality disorder treatment.
4. Holistic and Behavioral Approaches
The emotional imbalances can also be healed with the help of skillful emotional regulation, mindfulness, or even expressive therapies (such as art or movement therapy).
5. Family Therapy
As histrionic personality disorder influences not only a single person but also close ones, family therapy can help not only to improve contacts and relations with family systems but also to become more empathetic.
Seeking Help
It is not necessary to be in the state of histrionic personality disorder throughout life. When these people get the proper treatment, they can learn how to cope with their feelings, develop healthy relationships and live more down-to-earth, aware lives.
When you or somebody you love develops symptoms of HPD, it is time to do something. We are Orlando Treatment Solutions and our area of expertise is histrionic personality disorder treatment that will see you recover and back to emotional equilibrium.
Our expert service team is standing by now, ready to speak with you confidentially. And so, your journey toward emotional well-being and self-discovery begins.
