Running Head: HISTRIONIC PERSONALITY DISORDER

What is HPD? Histrionic Personality Disorder
Brookline College

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is defined by the American Psychiatric Association as a personality disorder characterized by a pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking, including an excessive need for approval and inappropriately seductive behavior, usually beginning in early adulthood. People with this disorder are usually able to function at a high level and can be successful socially and professionally. People with histrionic personality disorder usually have good social skills, but they tend to use these skills to manipulate other people and become the center of attention. They often fail to see their own personal situation realistically, instead tending to dramatize and exaggerate their difficulties.
HPD patients may go through frequent job changes, as they become easily bored and have trouble dealing with frustration. All of these factors may lead to greater risk of developing depression. They may seek treatment for depression when romantic relationships end, although this is by no means a feature exclusive to this disorder. The cause of this disorder is unknown, but childhood events such as deaths in the immediate family, illnesses within the immediate family which present constant anxiety, divorce of parents and genetics may be involved. Histrionic Personality Disorder is more often diagnosed in women than men; men with some quite similar symptoms are often diagnosed with narcissistic personality disorder.

There is no official way to diagnose HPD but the doctor will begin an evaluation by performing a complete medical history and physical examination. Although there are no laboratory tests to specifically diagnose personality disorders, the doctor might use various diagnostic tests to rule out physical illness as the