The Histrionic Personality Described

I found this description of the HPD to be quite good, so I thought I would share it, this will be interesting for the newbies.

Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) is a mental condition characterized by a number of traits, including extreme extroversion, obsession with personal appearance and an often inappropriate use of seduction to manipulate others. A person with HPD is quite often the life of a party, with an engaging personality and a natural lack of social inhibition. Ironically, the positive traits displayed by an HPD sufferer match much of what society usually considers to be ideal behavior. Those with HPD often rise high in social and business circles because of their outgoing personalities and lofty ambitions.

However, HPD is considered to be a personality disorder for a reason. While HPD sufferers may display all of the qualities admired by others, many of them are also plagued by internal thoughts of inferiority. While someone with HPD may express empathy or affection, the actual level of emotional connection quite often ends at the surface. Someone with HPD can mimic, or even exaggerate, an appropriate emotional response, but his or her selfish nature often prevents a true bond with others. A true HPD sufferer could feel lost in a crowd if he or she is not constantly the center of attention.

The "histrionic" element of HPD is often displayed as dramatic outbursts which are rarely commensurate with the triggering incident. An adult with HPD can literally burst into a childish temper tantrum following an argument with a romantic partner. HPD sufferers tend to revert to the emotional manipulations of childhood whenever they feel powerless. Many people may have first-hand experiences with so-called "drama queens" who tend to fly off the handle whenever the slightest hint of conflict arises. Others with HPD may create an atmosphere in which others feel compelled to acquiesce to their needs rather than provoke an emotionally charged responses.

Both men and women are susceptible to the development of HPD, which many experts believe has both genetic and social origins. Women with HPD tend to pursue unrealistic relationships, often projecting idealized qualities onto less-than-ideal partners. Sexual promiscuity is also a hallmark symptom of HPD, as is recreational drug use. Women with HPD may also spend hours working on their physical appearance, from excessive workouts to the overuse of cosmetics. Negative emotions are often bottled up in favor of exaggerated smiles and a penchant for hedonistic behavior in public.

Treating HPD can be a difficult process, because many sufferers fail to see their behavior as problematic. HPD sufferers may seek treatment voluntarily after a volatile romantic break-up or complete social ostracism by those who can no longer tolerate the person's self-absorbed behavior. Others may be ordered into professional counseling as a result of illegal or immoral acts. Psychologists can prescribe anti-depressants to address some of the behavioral issues, and long-term psychotherapy may help HPD sufferers understand how destructive their self-absorbed lifestyle choices can be to themselves and others.

HPD is a way to describe a person, its not a disorder, its like saying somebody is super funny, really happy and with a big heart would be an FHH disease wouldnt it?

sexology wrote:HPD is a way to describe a person, its not a disorder, its like saying somebody is super funny, really happy and with a big heart would be an FHH disease wouldnt it?

It's a valid observation, but it can become a disorder if the HPD finds themselves living in a vicious cycle of distress directly related to their personality.

If the problems associated with HPD are chronic and typical revealing a common trend, then it is a disorder. The personality itself is not a problem, it’s the cause and effect that the personality creates which determines the distress experienced between the HPD and interpersonal relationships.

sexology wrote:HPD is a way to describe a person, its not a disorder, its like saying somebody is super funny, really happy and with a big heart would be an FHH disease wouldnt it?

Yes, just like someone who was super paranoid, Super delusional, and not at all in touch with reality would be a Paranoid Schizophrenic 'type' of person.

digital.noface wrote:

sexology wrote:HPD is a way to describe a person, its not a disorder, its like saying somebody is super funny, really happy and with a big heart would be an FHH disease wouldnt it?

Yes, just like someone who was super paranoid, Super delusional, and not at all in touch with reality would be a Paranoid Schizophrenic 'type' of person.

My HPD grandmother will suck your soul! Muhahah!

No, seriously, we can't even see an R-rated movie (my family went and she wasn't even going) without her disagreeing (wtf?) about our choice, calling my father up in the middle of the movie, and crying "You... <sniffle> don't <sniffle> love me <sniffle sniffle>!"

I had a friend who exhibits many traits of HPD. I had to distance myself from her because our friendship just grew more and more difficult due to her unpredictable attention-seeking and demanding behaviour.

I put up with it for 3 years, trying to be compassionate and understanding, but I really grew to resent what I felt was manipulation. It really dawned on me that she really didn't seem to have the ability to understand where I was coming from, and I grew very tired of having to constantly assert my boundaries, and then feeling disrespected for doing so.

I told her finally that I needed space because she was too demanding and it was too draining and troublesome setting boundaries all the time. She said she understood but honestly, she never showed any signs that she understood, or was at all sorry about her behaviour. In fact, she managed to almost completely avoid taking responsibility for her bad behaviour.

I find I am still quite angry. I tried very hard to be there for this person, and it was never enough. We were just friends but she often behaved as if we were more than friends, especially in public in front of others. It could be embarrassing at times how caricaturish she would behave.

I don't know whether or not my friend has HPD. It certainly seems so. I do know that I am not willing to enter into her life again, not any time soon. I hope she finds help. I've told her she needed therapy but she reacted badly to that suggestion. Kudos to those of you who recognize problems in your behaviour and are wanting to change that. Good luck.