Personality Disorders-I

Since most of you voted to know more about personality disorders that are in the "DRAMATIC" cluster, I am going to start off with one of those.

Let's see if you can think of anyone in your life as I rattle of what a HISTRIONIC PERSONALITY DISORDERED person is like. Since most people diagnosed with this disorder are female, I will use the pronoun "her" in this post

Ready?

Do you know of anyone who is preoccupied with her looks?

Yes, I know that most of us are concerned. But she will be PREOCCUPIED. Not only that, she will dress provocatively, expose herself, give you seductive looks, and be flirtatious. Yes, sex will often be on her mind.

Do you know of anyone who is uncomfortable unless she is in the center of attention?

Yes, she will act very dramatically as though performing before an audience with exaggerated emotions and expressions, yet appears to lack sincerity. In parties, she will tend to be loud and excited, and will love having her own pictures taken.

Do you know of someone who does not have many friends? Or is constantly getting into fights with the ones she has?

Yes, since she is very needy, and not everyone can constantly give her that assurance, she may skip from one friend to another. She may not be able to form deep relationships and people may gradually notice that she is shallow and immature. She may appear to be self-centered. They often times believe that others have bad intentions towards them.

Do you know of someone who is easily frustrated and impulsive?

She may be easily bored with the same routine, constantly seek excitement, and may begin projects but not be able to finish them. She may make rash decisions and speak or act without thinking.

Do you know of someone who is extremely moody? And needy?

Yes, she will shift emotions rapidly. She may be happy and cheerful one moment, and the moment she is criticized or disapproved of, she will become extremely agitated. She may be very sensitive to everyone's approval and will need constant reassurance that she is liked!! Worst of all, if she does not get the desired attention, she may threaten suicide!

If you know of someone like this, you may also realize that she (or he) may be highly successful socially as well as professionally. They do not lack social skills and tend to glorify their disappointments and failures to seek attention. However, this disorder does interfere with their happiness, often leading to depression. They also have difficulty with successful romantic relationships and friendships, and blame others for their failures!!

Personality disorders begin in early adulthood and gradually become worse with age. It is hard to treat these individuals but not impossible!! If you know of anyone with the above symptoms and feel like you can influence them to go seek help, please do so!!

Feel free to ask me more questions if you want to.

Remember: This was HISTRIONIC PERSONALITY DISORDER!