Understanding Histrionic Personality Disorder
When the need for attention runs your life — what HPD really is.
What Is HPD?
Histrionic Personality Disorder involves a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking behaviour.
People with HPD often feel uncomfortable when they're not the centre of attention and may use dramatic behaviour to maintain it.
How It Manifests
Uncomfortable when not the centre of attention.
Interactions with others are often characterised by inappropriate sexual or provocative behaviour.
Rapidly shifting and shallow emotions.
Using physical appearance to draw attention.
Speech that is impressionistic and lacking in detail.
Dramatic, theatrical behaviour.
Easily influenced by others.
Considering relationships to be more intimate than they actually are.
Getting Help
Psychotherapy, particularly psychodynamic therapy, can help explore underlying needs.
Learning to develop a stable sense of self beyond external validation.
CBT can help modify attention-seeking behaviours.
Group therapy provides opportunities to practice healthier relationship patterns.
Building genuine self-esteem that doesn't depend on others' reactions.
Long-term therapy is usually needed for lasting change.