Hello lovely readers, it’s Olivia, and I am back with another exciting blog on everyday mental health issues. Today, we are going to talk about Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD), a very interesting personality we do not hear about too often but is highly prevalent in our modern society.
Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) is characterised by strong, erratic emotions and a damaged sense of self. Histrionic can also be defined as “dramatic or theatrical.” Self-esteem for those with HPD is based on other people’s approval rather than a genuine sense of self-worth. They have an intense need to be seen, and they frequently act inappropriately to do so.
Often times, those who suffer from HPD are unaware that their actions and way of thinking may be harmful. HPD typically manifests in late adolescence or the early twenties. HPD is more frequently diagnosed in women than in men, however some studies believe that men may be underdiagnosed. HPD is also characterised by excessive, extravagant emotional outbursts for attention.
Symptoms
The symptoms of HPD include
1. Feeling underappreciated or depressed when they’re not the centre of attention.
2. Being dramatic and overly emotional expressive, even to the point of embarrassing friends and family in front of others;
3. Having fast changing and shallow emotions
4. Taking an excessive interest in their appearance by choosing loud colours or inappropriate outfits to draw attention to their physical appearance.
5. Speaking dramatically and expressing strong opinions but with few facts or details to support their opinions.
6. Being gullible and easily influenced by others, especially by the people they admire.
7. Thinking that their relationships with others are closer than they usually are.
8. Having difficulty maintaining relationships often seeming fake or shallow in their interactions with others.
9. Always in need of instant gratification and become bored or frustrated very easily.
Constantly seek reassurance or approval.
Causes
One of the least understood mental health illnesses is HPD.
Research on histrionic and other personality disorders has revealed a number of risk factors that may contribute to the emergence of these illnesses, including:
Genetics: Because HPD tends to run in families, researchers believe there may be a genetic (inherited) component to the condition
· Parenting: HPD may be more prone to develop in children exposed to parenting methods that lack boundaries, are too indulgent, or are inconsistent. Also, children are at risk for acquiring this disorder if their parents engage in dramatic, chaotic, unpredictable, or inappropriate sexual conduct.
As previously mentioned, histrionics are often times unaware that their behaviours or thought patterns may be harmful, and as such, we need to treat them with kindness, regardless of the situation. People may be dealing with issues they may be ignorant of, and the least we can do as individuals is to show people a little kindness when we meet them.
Until I come to your screens again, this is Olive’s Corner
Olives Corner 