Histrionic personality disorder has an approximate prevalence of 2-3% in the population. It is more common in women. In ancient times it was called hysterical personality (from hysterics, uterus). Currently, the name comes from actor (theater actor, mask).
In the classification of personality disorders we can find it in group B. This group includes overly extroverted people, unstable, emotional and impulsive. Some also describe them as dramatic or theatrical.
Brief explanation of personality disorders
personality disorders are alterations or limitations in the way of being that decrease the individual’s ability to adapt. They make you more prone to suffer from other psychiatric disorders (such as anxiety, depression, even drug addiction…).
However, a normal personality always has traits or limitations, without this being a personality disorder. This will only be discussed when the limits run deeprigid, uncontrollable and negatively affecting the life of the individual.
Sometimes personality disorders are inconspicuous. In this way, when stressful events (positive or negative) occur, these fragilities are manifested.
Giulia Marquezpsychologist and graduate in clinical psychology, explains that in cognitive-behavioral treatment “several techniques are used, such as impulse management, emotional intelligence, improvement of thought patterns and work on cognitive distortions”.
See also: Living with borderline personality disorder
Histrionic personality disorder within group B
As already stated, group B personality disorders are generally characterized by some of these aspects, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- Extroversion
- Impulsive
- emotional instability
other research such as the one published in 2015 by the journal Frontiers in psychology specifies that people with this disorder can usually also appear flirtatious, seductive, charming and manipulative.
Histrionic personality disorder
We will analyze the histrionic personality disorder based on different aspects. We will first focus on the inner life of the individual and then move on to his relationship with others.
Inner life
They connect well with the environment and enjoy a social life. Overly dependent on the environment, being the center of attention and praise. In addition, they can be suggestible, impressionable and capricious.
They may constantly need new emotionsand also new people who entertain you, who give you attention and affection.
Second research published in 2019 in Stat PearlsHepeople with histrionic personality disorder they can be impressionable, gullible, suggestible, and easily influencedespecially by the people they admire.
Moreover, they tend to view relationships as closer than they are or they overestimate the intimacy of friendships or romantic relationships.
Attitude towards others in histrionic personality disorder
He pretends to be more friends with everyone than he actually is. flatter others and uses seduction and manipulation in both behavior and appearance.
They can use theatrical language, exaggerated and inaccurate to be the center of attention. You will be more or less successful depending on your intelligence, attractiveness and other attributes.
That’s the way it is most of the time, it’s not about seducing anyone in particular. They tend to seek continuous and immediate applause. If they don’t have them, they can overreact. They may also experience outbursts of anger and rage and have a tendency to roll over.
Attitude of others towards the histrionic person
Right off the bat, they tend to be nice and like each other.. But after that, people get tired of their excessive demands. They are also unreliable, selfish, arbitrary, controlling, and have no tolerance for frustration.
The histrionic person, on the other hand, encounters real difficulties when it comes to establishing serious and respectful intimate relationships.
complications
Second research published in the journal The American Journal of PsychiatryPeople with this disorder are more likely to develop depression. compared to the rest of the population. They also have a tendency to alcoholism. Apparently, it is common for them to experience somatization.
It may be that all these characteristics are presented in an extreme way. In any case, it is important to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist if you have symptoms of this disorder.
Post Histrionic Personality Disorder first appeared in research-school.