Questions about HPD?

Hi, I'm new to this site, so sorry if I'm a little bit out of the system.

I had previously never heard of HPD, until a friend mentioned that they thought one of my favorite characters had it. I decided to look into what this mystical acronym meant and came across some symptoms on the Wikipedia page for it. And well, I wasn't sure whether I should cry out of frustration or happiness because, I think I had found something that fit my situation pretty well.

So, uh, I guess what I wanted to ask was that do you guys think its likely that a 15 year old could be diagnosed with Histrionic? I'm a pretty impulsive person, but I tend to go back on my personal decisions, I asked my friends (for a "personality test" lmao) whether I sounded eccentric when I spoke/typed, and they all seemed to have agreed, plus I'm constantly in flux of emotions because I desperately want attention, while I loathe asking for it. Most of my friends have actual, diagnosed problems like depression and I don't want to hurt or offend them by making it all about me, to the point where I have weekly breakdowns (during school, which makes for some... terrible and interesting relationships with teachers). I'm Hard of Hearing, too, and even though I'm not terribly Hard of Hearing, I wear hearing aids and always try to make a point of it when people are talking trash about d/Deaf people. I feel like no one takes me seriously because of this though? I talk a lot, but usually only to make people listen to me.

And also, what made you decide to get a real diagnosis? Did you research it yourself before going in, or did someone else help you?

So there it is. Maybe I do have hpd, maybe I don't. I would just really like some help to figure that out, and I'd let myself get hit by a truck before I made my parents spend anymore money on me right now.

Thanks for your help,
E.R.

Hey questionmarks,

I think it would be very unusual to diagnose someone with HPD at age 15; not impossible, but unlikely.

Reason being many, or most, people go through a lot of emotional turmoil and extremes at that age. Of course that doesn't mean that everyone's experience is equal. You may be going through that at an above average degree of intensity as compared with your peers.

Still, most people change over time, just as you've changed over time. What I mean is you've changed a lot between say birth and age 2; age 2 and 5; age 5 and 8; and so on. Likewise most people change between ages 15 and 18; 18 and 22; 22 and 25; and so on. Of course I'm just picking those ages at semi-random to make a point, that most of us do change as we grow older, gain more experiences, take on greater degrees of independence, spend time around peers who are changing too, etc.

Anyway normally it would be later in life when someone would receive a diagnosis. I also note that you are introspecting, questioning what is going on with you. Of course I'm just guessing, but it makes me doubt you have HPD

questionmarks wrote:So, uh, I guess what I wanted to ask was that do you guys think its likely that a 15 year old could be diagnosed with Histrionic?

18 is the minimum age for diagnosis of any personality disorder.

Hi I am new to the forums and had some questions as i have not been professionally diagnosed with HPD i wanted to know based on my story what others think if i have it or not? so here goes.

I am 28 years old and have been married for 8 years. Before and for some time after my marriage I was very flirtatious dressed provacatively talked probally too much and was always getting in to trouble with the law for various small crimes, sex in public place, speeding, partner in crime etc. I was born in to a family where the primary profession is crime and most of my other family member take drugs or drink excessively. The reason I point this out is it seems that some sort of disorder clearly runs in the family. Most of the women in my family are on anti anxiety/depressants etc. After having a child at 20 I clearly began to rethink my life and started going to college and getting straight A's I have made the deans list of honor students every year until i graduated and I am doing well now in graduate school.

Lately though I feel like I am relapsing in to my old ways I am scared and anxious because I constantly seek out attention from guys that I know and send them provacative photos just to soak up the commentary. I am not attracted to these men or have feeling towards them. I also recently participated in online chat rooms for attention as well and am constantly trying to tell my husband to pay more attention to our relationship even though i know we are both very busy with other stuff like work etc. It all seemed to start up again 2 years ago when i was having marriage troubles and asked my husband for a divorce i was very depressed but was tired of how mean he treated me because of his stress from his previous relationship. i began seeking attention and going out to parties for a few months in the course of that troubled summer i did meet another man who i have strong feelings for because he is so much like me I think letting go of that relationship and going back to my troubled marriage has really taken a toll on me emotionally i started out depressed and then like I said recently have begun what i beleive is trying to replace the lost feeling of that almost new relationship with no success.

I feel like im in such a dark place and that talking to other men is the only way to take my mind off my pain a distraction from my constant feeling of lonelyness and sorrow. I cant concentrate on school or much else.it is such an intense feeling these emotions and right now as i am writing this I feel them all at once everything I have been bottling up. I know i need some serious help and yet i have no intentions of seeking that help out.

Hey rosegrewfromconcrete,

I don't have any specific advice, but I will write that one of the negatives of attention seeking is that a devoted partner reasonably should and will turn off when their partner is seeking an excess amount of attention from others. After all, the message to the committed partner is you are not good enough, I need others attention or value others attention above yours.

It becomes a kind of 'self-fulfilling prophecy'. A hard question to ask then is have you played a part in pushing him away, and a harder question still, is that something a part of you wants?

The reason I ask is that it seems a key factor in this disorder is that it's not just about seeking attention, it's about seeking new attention, perhaps because new attention implies a greater social value (a self esteem booster; the more people who affirm me, the higher my social value), so is more highly valued and sought than substantive attention from a significant other.

In line with what xdude said, I'd encourage you to read these documents, it may provide some insights:

http://maretwebproject.com/users/docs/histrionic.pdf
http://www.universitypsychiatry.com/cli ... _PICPs.pdf

Let us know what you think.

xdude wrote:I also note that you are introspecting, questioning what is going on with you. Of course I'm just guessing, but it makes me doubt you have HPD

This is true - inability to self-reflect is a notable symptom of HPD, and you seem aware of your actions and able to see how they might affect your relationships. That's a great advantage - it can give you a lot of control many people your age don't (and may never) have!

It's my experience that an HPD usually requires a hard stop from someone to notice their behavior and may even take it to heart briefly, but will eventually rationalize it as the other person's fault ("you make me act that way"). Which is why setting boundaries with them is difficult - it just repeats.

You're young, and your personality is still in transit, as xdude said. It can be uncomfortable, but just part of normal development... your friends probably have the same kinds of issues, but may not be able to express them, as you have here.

Hi, xdude - I just swung by PF and wanted to see if you were still around! happy holidays!

scoutshouse wrote:
Hi, xdude - I just swung by PF and wanted to see if you were still around! happy holidays!

Hey scouts,

Much thanks for the warm wishes, and hope you enjoy your holiday too!