Histrionic Personality Disorder

Histrionic personality disorder is characterized by long-lasting, chronic patterns of attention-seeking behaviors and extreme emotionality. Individuals with histrionic personality disorder typically want to be the center of attention in social settings and are uncomfortable when they are not. Their emotionality is wide ranging, shifts rapidly, and can appear shallow. Sufferers of histrionic personality disorder are often described as being dramatic and theatrical and use provocative or sexual behavior to get attention. They think relationships are more intimate than they actually are in reality and are highly susceptible to the influence of others. Histrionic personality disorder is more common in females and is typically diagnosed in adulthood. Symptoms often decrease in severity with age. Treatment is usually therapy but sometimes medication is used.