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 inappropriate seductiveness, usually beginning in early adulthood. These individuals are lively, dramatic, enthusiastic, and flirtatious. They may be inappropriately sexually provocative, express strong emotions with an impressionistic style, and be easily influenced by others." According to the DSM IV, a person needs to meet five of the following criteria before a diagnosis is made:
- Uncomfortable in situations where he or she is not the center of attention.
- Interactions with others is characterized by inappropriate sexual, seductive and provocative behavior. These individuals are very flirtatious.
- Displays rapidly shifting and shallow expressions of emotions.
- Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self.
- Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail.
- They show self dramatization, very theatrical.
- Easily influenced by others and circumstances.
- Consider relationships to be more intimate than they actually are.
Individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder like to be the center of attention; at all times, at all costs. They do not blend into the crowd and this behavior. Flirtatious behavior can cause serious problems in relationships and marriages. Individuals with this disorder are frequently misdiagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.
Causes of Histrionic Personality Disorder
The causes for personality disorders are not known. A past history of childhood sexual abuse or being emotionally alienated by parents during childhood have been demonstrated in several research studies to be influencing factors.