10 Signs of Histrionic Personality Disorder

In the highly publicized and contentious trial involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, a psychologist testified that Amber Heard was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and histrionic personality disorder (HPD). This trial shed light on HPD, generating significant public interest. Unfortunately, this attention painted HPD in a negative light, leading to it being wrongly associated with psychological abuse.

In terms of gender disparity, HPD is diagnosed more frequently in women, with a three to four times higher likelihood. However, it's important to recognize that men can also experience this disorder. Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of resources and support available specifically for men. To receive a diagnosis of HPD, an individual must display a consistent and long-standing pattern of exaggerated emotionality and attention-seeking behavior across various situations. This behavior typically manifests in early adulthood. Additionally, to meet the diagnostic criteria, the person with HPD must exhibit at least five of the following eight criteria:

1. Individuals diagnosed with HPD often experience discomfort in situations where they are not the center of attention. This addiction to attention leads them to seek it relentlessly, disregarding any negative consequences or personal suffering it may cause. They associate their self-worth and existence with attention, feeling emotionally distressed when not in the spotlight. Consequently, they may go to great lengths to gain attention, resorting to creating scenes, faking injuries, or engaging in dramatic and inappropriate behaviors. Even after discarding a partner, they still desire attention from them, wanting them to remain in their orbit. They may employ subtle tactics, like sending subliminal messages through social media accounts or breadcrumbing, to maintain a connection. However, it's important to recognize that they do not genuinely want a reunion and might react negatively if their ex-partner persists in pursuing them, potentially labeling them as a creepy stalker.

2. Interactions with others can often be characterized by inappropriate sexual or provocative behavior. Individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) may initially charm people with their energy and enthusiasm. However, they can quickly turn people off with their constant use of sex appeal, sexuality, and even exhibitionistic behavior. One of the key aspects of their current need for constant validation revolves around their sexuality. They enjoy seducing, teasing, and creating sexual tension in order to draw attention and affection from others. In some cases, they may even compromise their own romantic relationship to pursue the attention of another person, even if they don't genuinely care about that individual or desire them. They show little concern for the marital status of the person they pursue, and they disregard the emotional pain and humiliation they may cause to their partners or others involved. This continuous pattern of using seductive behavior to command attention can lead to a great deal of drama, discord, and confusion within relationships. Partners often feel betrayed, embarrassed, and unsure of how to navigate these situations.

3. Individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) often display rapidly shifting and shallow emotions. Unlike those with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), their emotions lack depth and appear insincere or inauthentic. For instance, they can go from happy to sad to angry to excited within a matter of minutes. These emotional shifts in individuals with HPD are often dramatized, exaggerated, and overblown, lacking the genuine intensity seen in individuals with BPD. Furthermore, they tend to move on from these emotional displays quickly, unlike those with BPD who can remain stuck in an emotional reaction for extended periods of time, ranging from hours to days or even weeks.

4. Individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) often rely on their physical appearance as a means to draw attention to themselves. They invest excessive amounts of time and money into enhancing their looks, such as through makeup and cosmetic surgeries. They frequently don flamboyant and over-the-top outfits, aiming to impress and stand out, regardless of the occasion or appropriateness. While others may judge their inappropriate appearance, they believe that everyone is either admiring them or feeling jealous, leaving them satisfied to have captured the audience's attention.

5. Additionally, individuals with HPD tend to have a speaking style that is impressionistic and lacking in detail. They communicate in superficial ways, keeping their statements vague and remaining non-committal. They assess the situation and adapt their speech to suit the person they are trying to impress or gain attention from. While they may possess intelligence, they typically lack depth in their conversations and struggle to engage in discussions that require more sophisticated knowledge. For instance, they may express strong opinions without being able to provide examples, facts, or supporting details. Another notable aspect is the discrepancy between their impressive talk and their actual behavior over time. They may speak about concepts such as trust, integrity, values, and spirituality, but their actions often contradict these beliefs. This inconsistency between their words and behavior can be confusing and frustrating for those around them.

6. Individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) tend to display self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expressions of emotion. They often express their thoughts and emotions in excessively dramatic ways, sometimes even embellishing or fabricating stories to appear more impressive than they truly are. When attention is not on them, they may intensify their dramatic efforts. This is because the lack of attention makes them feel insecure, threatened, insignificant, and inferior. For example, in a sporting event, if someone else is performing exceptionally well and receiving praise, a person with HPD may fake an injury, sob uncontrollably in the middle of the game, and require assistance, aiming to steal the spotlight using any means necessary. Another example could be at an office Christmas party where you are engaged in an interesting conversation with your boss's wife. To regain attention, she might throw a tantrum right then and there, or even pretend to be extremely drunk and start behaving inappropriately towards your boss, all in an effort to redirect focus onto herself.

7. They display high suggestibility, a characteristic often observed in individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). Those with HPD have a tendency to adapt themselves to fit the mold of those they are trying to impress or gain attention from. Their opinions and emotions can be easily influenced by individuals they wish to establish close relationships with or perceive as superior, as well as by prevailing fads and trends. Individuals with HPD are often excessively trusting, naive, and unpredictable. They may frequently change their minds and adopt new beliefs and strong convictions based on the influence of others on any given day. Interestingly, they appear to be unaware or have no recollection of the fact that their current opinions may completely contradict what they believed just yesterday or last week.

8. Individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) have a tendency to perceive relationships as more intimate than they actually are. For instance, if they meet someone new, such as a psychologist named Dr. John, they might quickly begin referring to him affectionately as "Johnny boy" within just 15 minutes of meeting. Similarly, when introduced to your boss and his wife, they may immediately act as if they are best friends with them. This pattern demonstrates that individuals with HPD easily form superficial relationships and often struggle with setting appropriate boundaries. They may quickly become overly familiar or emotionally invested with others, even in situations where a deeper connection may not be warranted or reciprocated.

9. Individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) often display extroverted traits and can come across as confident, assertive, and even prideful. However, it is important to note that their self-esteem is typically quite low. They rely heavily on the attention and approval of others, not only from you, but from everyone around them. The truth is, individuals with HPD often lack a clear understanding of their own identity. They create a fictional character, often portraying themselves as a sweet, naive princess in need of rescuing.Unlike the cold and arrogant traits associated with narcissistic individuals, those with HPD may come across as warm, fun, exciting, and unlike anyone you've ever met. They evoke a desire to take care of them, please them, and protect them. Initially, the relationship may seem amazing, as they strive to fulfill your expectations and desires. However, over time, the dynamic may shift, resembling that of a caregiver to a self-centered, attention-seeking individual prone to tantrums. As you continuously make sacrifices and compromise your own wants and needs, your partner with HPD may continue to overstep boundaries and chase after opportunities to seek attention and adoration. You might find yourself on the sidelines, observing as they flirt with others, using their charm and seductive attire to capture the interest of whomever is passing by. At times, you may be tempted to believe that if you just work a little harder or give more, you can regain their attention. You may even find yourself forgiving and accepting their outrageous attention-seeking behavior. However, as time goes on, the pain associated with these dynamics can become too difficult to bear. It is important to prioritize your own well-being and assess whether this relationship is truly healthy and fulfilling for you.

10. While individuals with Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) can sometimes engage in abuse and exploitation of others, these behaviors are not defining characteristics of the disorder. They are typically observed more frequently when HPD is combined with narcissistic or antisocial personality traits. When HPD is present alongside narcissism or antisocial tendencies, an individual may display characteristics of a gold digger, constantly seeking a wealthier or more advantageous partner. It is not uncommon for them to maintain financial support from multiple ex-partners, even after the relationship has ended. By playing the role of a princess and leading you on, an individual with HPD ensures that their needs are always met. They may rely on you to take care of financial responsibilities such as rent, indulge in shopping sprees, or even fund cosmetic surgeries. If you become aware of their manipulations or start demanding more attention, they may discard you if they have a sufficient supply of attention from others. However, they may also provide you with small rewards or attention to give the impression that you are making progress and are close to "winning" them back. At times, they may provoke you deliberately, possibly by seducing someone in front of you. When you react, they will use it as a reason to pull away again. You may feel like you have failed in your pursuit, but they will remind you that you are almost there, making you believe that just a little more effort and energy will lead to success in winning them back.

It is worth noting that individuals with HPD rarely see their behaviors or mindset as problematic, and they seldom seek treatment for the disorder. If they do seek mental health services, it is often for something else entirely. During the treatment process, a therapist may recognize histrionic traits and conduct further assessments. However, even in therapy, individuals with HPD may exhibit a dramatic need for attention. Their psychological symptoms and physical complaints may fluctuate and change on a week-to-week basis. They may bring gifts for the therapist or engage in flirtatious behavior, constantly testing the boundaries.

A quote that encapsulates Histrionic Personality Disorder could be: "You only exist by your audience. The more audience you've got, the more you exist." This highlights the deep-seated need for attention and validation that individuals with HPD often possess.