Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by behaviors aimed at drawing attention to oneself in an often theatrical or emotionally involving way. It has been classified among of personality disorders that involve problems with emotional regulation and impulse control. If you want to get a diagnosis, see a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, who will also be able to establish a treatment and follow you along this path.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Recognizing Behavioral Symptoms
Step 1. Identify behaviors aimed at attracting attention
People with histrionic personality disorder may dress or act in a way that draws the attention of others. For example, she may wear too seductive clothing or wear extravagant clothes or costumes to not go unnoticed. He may attend events or intervene in social settings where he has the opportunity to be the center of attention. Often, this behavior is considered inappropriate, a little excessive or almost indecent.
- To get people's attention, he can behave in a theatrical or deliberately flashy manner. For example, a woman invited to a wedding might wear a wedding dress, while a man might show up to a formal event disguised as an animal.
- People of this genre are often considered the soul of the party.
Step 2. Identify overly dramatic reactions to problems
A person suffering from histrionic personality disorder reacts to less important problems as if they were serious or as if they could even be life threatening. Instead of looking for a solution, it gets to exaggerate a problem or create others where they don't exist. Even a small difficulty presents an opportunity to dramatize in an attempt to draw attention to oneself.
- For example, she can go out with someone for a week and, if the relationship doesn't work, threaten to commit suicide.
- Instead of taking responsibility, he can blame other people or attribute a problem to external factors. For example, if he fails at work because he has been careless and made counterproductive decisions, he may blame the staff, the place, poor customer behavior, or other external factors.
Step 3. Notice if the speeches are overly dramatic
A person with histrionic personality disorder may speak with a lot of emphasis or rather dramatic tones and express strong opinions. However, when under pressure, he may be hesitant to respond or avoid providing details to support what he thinks. In some cases, he seems more interested in expressing an opinion rather than arguing it.
For example, he could have very strong and controversial beliefs and, perhaps, say that the whole world should be communist or that births should be regulated by governments. When asked why, he does not necessarily have a direct answer and can provide reasoning to support what he says
Step 4. Pay attention to self-centered behavior
He may talk endlessly about his personal problems, but be unwilling to listen to others' or minimize their experiences. This attitude can give rise to relationship problems. If on the one hand his charisma manages to break through some people, on the other hand his egotism can weaken interpersonal relationships.
It is likely that it takes a lot of effort to keep fit or that he is obsessed with physical appearance. He may be "too busy" solving problems involving his external image to help you
Part 2 of 4: Identifying Emotional and Interpersonal Symptoms
Step 1. Notice if it's emotionally superficial
People with histrionic personality disorder can be overly dramatic, but also superficial or unable to relate to others on an emotional level. It can quickly change moods to the point of being hypocritical or false.
Does he seem to have difficulty relating? If you mention a problem, does he try to bring attention to himself?
Step 2. See if he needs reassurance or approval
Most likely he wants to be sure that he is accepted by others. He may be very attentive to his social position or do something to purposely gain the attention of others or provoke a reaction in them. As a result, he is easily subject to or vulnerable to social pressures, but he also lets himself be influenced by the opinions of others.
- He might say, "I know Eduardo hates me, but don't you think I'm a good friend?" He may even go as far as buying gifts to gain the approval of others or mortify them to inflate his ego.
- They can be overly sensitive to criticism or dissent and, as a result, get angry or blame others.
Step 3. Notice if she overestimates interpersonal bonds
People with histrionic personality disorder may believe they have many close friends when, in reality, they are just acquaintances or shallow friendships. It can also overestimate the degree of intimacy in romantic relationships and behave as if there is a strong chemistry.
He may relate with excessive confidence in the presence of strangers and acquaintances
Step 4. Notice the discomfort of being ignored
The possibility of being ignored can generate fear, so it is normal for the subject to prefer to attract attention. He is convinced that he receives the consent of others by earning their consideration. If he's not in the spotlight, he may feel uncomfortable or unappreciated and, therefore, react by doing something extravagant to gain confidence again.
When you think about this person, do you notice that he is in desperate need of attention that he cannot do without? How does it react when it is ignored or overshadowed?
Part 3 of 4: Rule Out Other Ailments
Step 1. Distinguish between histrionic personality disorder and anxiety disorders
People with an anxiety disorder can take a catastrophic view of the problems and behave as if they are much more serious than they really are. He may also need a lot of reassurance. However, he does not indulge in theatrical gestures or feel the need to be the center of attention.
Often histrionic personality disorder can be accompanied by anxiety
Step 2. Distinguish between histrionic personality disorder and autism
Like people with histrionic personality disorder, those with autism can be extravagant in dress and talk, deeply emotional, have poor social skills, be open to strangers, and have low self-esteem (sometimes, they need a lot of reassurance or fear. criticisms). Unlike the former, they adopt self-stimulating behaviors, have few interests that particularly excite them and many difficulties in organizing and taking care of themselves.
- Usually, people with autism struggle to interpret other people's emotions, but they are very attached to people. Communication problems are very common.
- For an autistic person, any oddity is due to a lack of understanding or a personal choice, it is not aimed at attracting the attention of others. For example, she may wear floor-length skirts because she thinks it's normal or because she likes the snug feel of the fabric, not because she wants to get noticed.
- Consider what happens if you leave the person alone. Often people with autism need special attention not for emotional reasons, but because they cannot look after themselves. The worry that they will be alone is mostly practical (for example, an autistic girl might focus so much on her essay that she forgets to eat), not emotional (she will feel so bad not to eat and it will be a big problem). If they are in a safe environment, they can pursue their interests for long periods of time.
Step 3. Distinguish histrionic personality disorder from narcissistic personality disorder
A narcissist may behave by exasperating their importance and the idealization of their self. Even if those with histrionic personality disorder need constant attention and confirmation, the narcissist believes they are important and does not need the consent of others, whom they consider inferior to themselves.
Part 4 of 4: Getting a Diagnosis
Step 1. Consult a counselor
He is able to diagnose histrionic personality disorder by evaluating and observing the patient. It takes into account personal experience, clinical and family history and examines the frequency, duration and severity of symptoms. The most common factors for a psychological evaluation include behavior, appearance and personal experience.
In some cases, it is appropriate to consider the patient's social and sentimental life to obtain information on how he relates to others
Step 2. Know how it arises
Most often, histrionic personality disorder is diagnosed in the late teens or early 20s. It is normal for adolescents to have immature or theatrical behaviors, which over time diminish and are replaced by more responsible attitudes or attitudes suited to social contexts and emotionally balanced. If behavior worsens or does not improve in adulthood, histrionic personality disorder may be considered.
This disorder is diagnosed more in women than in men. However, histrionic behavior may reflect socially accepted roles and not a true prevalence in the general population. For example, a woman who has a more open view of sex can break out of certain patterns, while it is normal if the same view belongs to a man
Step 3. Pay attention to concomitant ailments
Many people with histrionic personality disorder can suffer from depression and / or anxiety when they conflict with others or face the end of a romantic relationship. They may also feel depressed when they are not the center of attention or are alone. Sometimes, they take a cure to recover from depression.
- Drug use is widespread among patients suffering from histrionic personality disorder.
- If a person uses substances that damage their quality of life, they should detoxify.
Step 4. Learn about the possible causes of histrionic personality disorder
There is no known cause of this disorder. Although there are no direct links, there may be some etiological factors or associated traits. For example, heredity and experiences during early childhood can favor the onset of this personality disorder.
