HPD or Histrionic Personality Disorder is a mental disorder wherein the person suffering from it behaves extremely emotional or has a histrionic behavior. Histrionic is a word derived from hysteria which is an outcome of excessive and extreme emotions. Such patients constantly want the attention of others or always want to be the centre of attraction. They are so unstable mentally that in order to get attention they even become manipulative. Histrionic personality disorder is found in around 3% adults and more in women than men.
Characteristics of Histrionic Personality Disorder: A person suffering from histrionic personality disorder tries to dominate conversations in a group and even interrupts in between if he or she does not get attention. They behave embarrassed and uncomfortable in case they are not successful in seeking attention. They have a peculiar behavior of being sexually proactive when interacting with others. A person with HPD dramatizes a simple day to day situation and tries to show that he or she is a very enthusiastic and lively person. At times he or she behaves in a highly erratic or weird manner. They pay a great deal of attention on how they appear in order to ensure other’s attention. The other characteristic of a HPD patient is that others can very easily influence them. People generally find such patients’ outrageous. A Histrionic Personality Disorder patient reacts in a very aggressive manner or with a lot of anger and violence in case they do not get what they desire.
Probable causes of histrionic personality disorder: Adults who have had a disturbed childhood generally suffer from HPD. Events like parents separating or fighting constantly, death of a near and dear one in the family could possibly lead to this mental disorder. In some cases histrionic personality disorder is found to be genetic.
Treatment for Histrionic Personality Disorder: There is no specific treatment for histrionic personality disorder due to lack of wide research. Generally the treatment is case specific and so it is difficult to come to a general scope of treatment for Histrionic Personality Disorder. What is required here is that the people closely related to such a patient should keep track of the behavioral changes and aspects and if possible document it in order to assist psychological treatment. One of the methods applied is that of psychological therapy in a group wherein such facts and figures would help a great deal. There is no medication available for Histrionic Personality Disorder.
