HISTRIONIC PERSONALITY DISORDER

Diagnostic Features:
Histrionic Personality Disorder is a condition characterized by excessive emotionality and
attention-seeking. This disorder is only diagnosed when these behaviors become
persistent and very disabling or distressing.

Complications:
Individuals with this disorder may have difficulty achieving emotional intimacy in
romantic relationships. Without being aware of it, they often act out a role (e.g., "victim"
or "princess"). They may seek to control their partner through emotional manipulation or
seductiveness on one level, whereas displaying a marked dependency on them at
another level. Individuals with this disorder often have impaired relationships with samesex friends because of their sexually provocative behavior or their demands for constant
attention. They crave novelty, stimulation, and excitement and have a tendency to
become bored with their usual routine. Although they often initiate a job or project with
great enthusiasm, their interest may lag quickly. The actual risk of suicide is not known,
but individuals with this disorder are at increased risk for suicidal gestures and threats to
get attention and coerce better care giving.

Prevalence:
The frequency of this disorder is equal in males and females, and this disorder is present
in about 2%-3% of the general population (and 10%-15% of psychiatric outpatients).

Course:
It usually begins in early adulthood, and has a chronic course.

World Health Organization

Classification of Mental and Behavioural Disorders; World Health Organization, Geneva,
1992

F60.4 Histrionic Personality Disorder

Personality disorder characterized by at least 3 of the following:
(a) self-dramatization, theatricality, exaggerated expression of emotions;
(b) suggestibility, easily influenced by others or by circumstances;
(c) shallow and labile affectivity;
(d) continual seeking for excitement, appreciation by others, and activities in which the
patient is the centre of attention;
(e) inappropriate seductiveness in appearance or behaviour;
(f) over-concern with physical attractiveness.

Associated features may include egocentricity, self-indulgence, continuous longing for

appreciation, feelings that are easily hurt, and persistent manipulative behaviour to
achieve own needs.