I took this information, which is pretty close to what I have been told about Histrionic Personality Disorder. It may sound disheartening, but since I was diagnosed, only recently have a decided to try to seek out a way to assist myself with what I was DOOMED with. Maybe everything will start to make sense now.. I guess time will tell.
So this is the information I have researched about my disorder, this is a general description of the disorder, but there are 3 different types: Group A: Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal. Group B: Antisocial, Borderline, and Narcissistic. Group C: Avoidant, Dependent, and OCD.
Well lucky me, I fit in to Group C, thank you for a personality disorder, and the good ol’ case of OCD.
Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by a long-standing pattern of attention seeking behavior and extreme emotionality. Someone with histrionic personality disorder want to be:
- the center of attention in any group
- feel uncomfortable when they are not
- While often lively
- interesting and sometimes dramatic
- they have difficulty when people aren’t focused exclusively on them
- People with this disorder may be perceived as being shallow
- and may engage in sexually seductive or provocating behavior
- may have difficulty achieving emotional intimacy in romantic/sexual relationships.
They often act out a role (e.g., “victim” or “princess”) in their relationships to others. They may seek to control their partner through emotional manipulation or seductiveness on one level, whereas displaying a marked dependency on them at another level.
Individuals with this disorder often have impaired relationships with same-sex friends because their sexually provocative interpersonal style may seem a threat to their friends’ relationships. They often become depressed and upset when they are not the center of attention.
People with histrionic personality disorder may crave novelty, stimulation, and excitement and have a tendency to become bored with their usual routine. Although they often initiate a job or project with great enthusiasm, their interest may lag quickly. Longer-term relationships may be neglected to make way for the excitement of new relationships.
A pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:
- Is uncomfortable in situations in which he or she is not the center of attention
- Interaction with others is often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior
- Displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions
- Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to themself
- Has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail
- Shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion
- Is easily influenced by others or circumstances
- Considers relationships to be more intimate than they actually are
Many people with histrionic personality disorder don’t seek out treatment. People with personality disorders, in general,do not often seek out treatment until the disorder starts to significantly interfere or otherwise impact a person’s life. This most often happens when a person’s coping resources are stretched too thin to deal with stress or other life events.
Researchers today don’t know what causes histrionic personality disorder. There are many theories, however, about the possible causes of histrionic personality disorder. Most professionals subscribe to a biopsychosocial model of causation — that is, the causes of are likely due to biological and genetic factors, social factors (such as how a person interacts in their early development with their family and friends and other children), and psychological factors (the individual’s personality and temperament, shaped by their environment and learned coping skills to deal with stress). This suggests that no single factor is responsible — rather, it is the complex and likely intertwined nature of all three factors that are important. If a person has this personality disorder, research suggests that there is a slightly increased risk for this disorder to be “passed down” to their children.
So, if you are indeed still reading this, some of you might be thinking, “Holy crap, that is Erin!” Well, I guess all I can say is, look forward to reading all of my endeavors as I try to battle this without seeking treatment or meds. 🙂
eronbrowflosky 