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Case study on histrionic personality disorder
Case study on histrionic personality disorder
Case study on histrionic personality disorder
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We have all met a person who always has to be the center of attention and engages in inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior. It may be obvious that something is “off” or not quite “normal” but many do not realize this behavior could be the result of a disorder known as Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). According to Paul Rasmussen of Furman University, “an individual with a histrionic orientation displays an active dependency characterized by a strong need for external validation in the form of interpersonal attention, support, and reassurance”. This paper will explore the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment as well as risk factors of Histrionic Personality Disorder.
The American Psychiatric Association defines Histrionic Personality Disorder as a pervasive pattern of the excessive emotionally and attention seeking behavior. HPD is a cluster B personality disorder (inclusive of antisocial, borderline, histrionic and narcissistic personality disorders) with onset at or before adolescence characterized by persistent patterns of dysfunctional behavior (excessive emotionality & attention seeking) deviating from one's culture and social environment that lead to functional impairment and distress to the individual and those who have regular interaction with the individual (Harper, 2004). The behaviors of a HPD patient are perceived to be "normal" and "right" and having little insight as to their responsibility for these behaviors.
There are many symptoms associated with HPD, many fo which also coincide with other personality disorders, sometimes making diagnosis difficult. Diagnosis includes the display of five or more of the following symptoms. Those who are uncomfortable in situations...
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...o assist extroverted patients with HPD to relax and focus on their own inner feelings. Hypnosis is also sometimes used to assist patients with relaxing when they experience a fast heart rate of palpitations during an excessively dramatic, emotional and excitable behavior (Rasmussen, 2005).
While the egocentric, attention-seeking behavior of individuals with histrionic personality disorder will make them hard to miss and at times entertaining, it is important to recognize that there may be a deeper underlying problem in need of treatment. The personality characteristics associated with HPD are long-lasting, possibly even life-long, however almost all individuals diagnosed are able to function well socially and at work. With the proper education, medical attention and regimented therapy, HPD patients can lead successful lives and be productive members of society.
Torgersen, S. (2009). The nature (and nurture) of personality disorders. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 50(6), 624-632. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9450.2009.00788.x
Histrionic personality disorder, which is a part of cluster B of personality disorders, is classified by an extreme desire for attention. In order for a person to be diagnosed with it, they must exhibit at least 5 symptoms of it, which include awkward social encounters, shallow expression of emotions, talk in a way that lacks details, theatrical, and finds relationships more intimate that they actually are (Kupfer & Skodol 667). Personality disorders as a whole are characterized by lasting behaviors that inhibit normal social functioning (Myers 596). Histrionic personality disorder specifically however is the one where people need to get attention. They make all their relationships about themselves and look to have social events focus on them more than others. While it can seem that many people have it, especially since it is sometimes referred to as the “teenage girl syndrome”, it is only seen in about 1.84% of people (Kupfer & Skodol 668). This disorder is commonly treated through cognitive-behavioral therapy which aims to change peoples negative thoughts as well as behaviors. For people with histrionic personality disorder, understanding why they think the way they do as well as learning coping mechanisms can help their alter their behaviors that were formerly socially
Disco Di have shown these symptoms during her time when she ran away from her parents because they would not pay attention to her. She got into drugs use, had many promiscuous relationships with boys. Her relations with these boys were full off passion and chaotic with many violent arguments. She would seek out excitements such as getting drunk and go dancing where she would leave with strange men then have intercourse. After being admitted to a hospital, she would always expect and demanded that people would always have to pay attention to her. Also, I believe this because in the journal “Histrionic Personality Disorder” it stated “Histrionic PD is indicated when people exaggerate their emotions and go to excessive lengths to seek attention” (Crawford et al, 2007) and this is indicated when Disco Di ran away from home because she believed her parent did not pay enough attention to her. Next, the diagnostic feature of her other disorder, borderline personality disorder, is that mark of instability of mood, unstable relationships, chronic feeling of emptiness and recurrent threats of
A possible rule/out in Peter’s case is obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). Peter reported potential symptoms of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder as he mentioned that prior to his parents’ divorce; he was “obsessive” about his work. Peter showed preoccupation with perfectionism in which he worried about failing rather than actually completing the task. His obsessive behavior caused him to have little or no time for social interaction, therefore excluding his leisure time for activities with his partner and friends. Symptoms of OCPD such as excess devote to work and exclusion of leisure time for friendship and relationship is met. Further questioning is required to determine the diagnosis of OCPD.
...in the diagnosis of histrionic and antisocial personality disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57(2), 301-305.
particular group of people whose symptoms are indicative of personality disorders, and are between neuroses and psychoses (Manning, 2011, p. 12). Personality disorders are extremely pervasive because they effect a person’s “mood, actions, and relationships” (Manning,
Personality disorders are separated into several clusters as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Cluster A includes disorders of the personality that are odd or egocentric. These include paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder, and schizotypal personality disorder (National Institute for Mental Health, 2009). Cluster B includes the dramatic, emotional, or erratic personality disorders. This cluster includes antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder, and narcissistic personality disorder (NIMH, 2009). The final cluster, Cluster C, includes avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (NIMH, 2009). These personality disorders are categorized as anxious and fearful disorders.
Borderline Personality Disorder is diagnosed predominantly in females. There is approximately a 3:1 female to male gender ratio for this disorder.
A personality disorder is an unhealthy group of mental illness (Personality Disorders , 2013). These thoughts and behaviors cause a series of problems in a person’s life. The disorder has often been linked to destruction in social, occupational, and an overall functioning of life (Soeteman, Verheul, & Busschbach, 2008).The person has often had problems associating with other people and managing stress (Personality Disorders , 2013). Personality disorders are consistently noted in a person that has obsessive-compulsive disorder (Butcher, 2010).
"Narcissistic Personality Disorder: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." National Library of Medicine - National Institutes of Health. Web. 02 June 2010.
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) hinders people’s security, makes interpersonal and interpersonal relationships difficult, worsens the person suffering from the disorder’s life and those around them, effects their affect and self-image, and generally makes a person even more unstable (Davidon et al., 2007). This disorder is a personality disorder which effects the people’s emotions, personality, and daily living including relationships with other and job stability. People with BPD may experience a variation of symptoms including but not limited to: intense contradictory emotions involving sadness, anger, and anxiety, feelings of emptiness, loneliness, and isolations (Biskin & Paris, 2012). This disorder makes it hard for the person with the disorder to maintain relationships since they have tendentious believe that people are either strictly good or bad. Also, they are sensitive to other people’s actions and words and are all over the place with their emotions so those in their life never know which side to expect. (Biskin & Paris, 2012)
The character I choose to diagnose for this assignment is Blanche DuBois from the play “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams. The DSM5 states that in order for someone to be diagnosed with Histrionic Personality Disorder, one must exhibit a pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts. One must display five (or more) of the following circumstances in order for this diagnosis to be relevant: 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 self, has a style of speech that is
The symptoms are numerous in nature and most of us may have experiences with these types of personalities without quite understanding what may have been the driving forces behind the behaviors. Some of the most common symptoms are; believing one is better than others, exaggerating achievements, needing constant praise, taking advantage of others or being envious of others’ achievements if they are perceived to be better than his achievements. Individuals with this personality disorder come across as conceited, boastful or pretentious. They often monopolize conversations and belittle or look down on other people perceived as inferior. They may seem to have a sense of entitlement and when they do not receive the special treatment to which they feel entitled to, they may become very impatient or angry. According to Lipowska & Lipowski (2015), “The need for admiration reflects the need of being noted, admired, complemented, and an element of entitlement” (p. 6). Also, they may insist on having the best of everything and justify this by claiming they are taking care of themselves first, regardless of the needs of others around
Every person that has different characteristics that influence how they think, act, and build relationships. While some people are introverted, others are extroverted. Some people are strict and do not take risks, while others are carefree and free spirited. However, there are times where a person’s behavior becomes destructive, problematic, and maladaptive (Widger, 2003). The key to examining a person for a possible personality disorder is not if they have quirks, but if they display severe behavioral, emotional, and social issues. A diagnosis of having a personality disorders involves identifying if their extreme behaviors, emotions, and thoughts that are different than cultural expectations interfere with the ...
BPD is a complex disorder in a sense that the symptoms such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse may cause a misdiagnosis thus overlooking BPD completely (Biskin & Paris, 2013). This personality disorder has also been known to occur simultaneously with anxiety disorders, eating disorders and bipolar mood disorders (Butcher, Mineka & Hooley, 2014). In addition, the prevalence of BPD decreases in older individuals (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).