What happens when emotions become performances and the desire for attention shifts from a mere want to a desperate need? For people with histrionic personality disorder, this can be part of everyday life; emotions feel magnified, relationships become intense, and identity can depend on being noticed by others.
While histrionic personality disorder (HPD) may appear to others as mere dramatics or self-obsession, it is rooted in a profound need for connection and validation.
If you or someone you love is struggling with intense emotions, a mental health professional can advise you on the most appropriate treatment for your needs. This page can also help you understand the histrionic personality disorder adults may experience by exploring:
Histrionic personality disorder adults often draw attention to themselves, overreact to small things, and crave excitement.3 They may even come across as shallow, vain, or demanding to others. However, these behaviors often result from the intense and overwhelming emotions they are experiencing. It’s like having the volume of emotions turned up to eleven; everything feels urgent and all-consuming. This is why HDP is sometimes described as an “emotional expression disorder.”
Understanding HPD means looking below the surface and seeing the person underneath – someone craving reassurance, stability, and acceptance.
Now that we understand what HPD is (and isn’t), let’s look at the signs and symptoms to help you recognize it in everyday life.
Nevertheless, some of the key symptoms histrionic personality disorder adults may exhibit include:2,4,5
Excessive attention-seeking behavior: Acting seductively, provocatively, or using their appearance to gain attention
If some of these patterns seem familiar, you may be living with a histrionic personality disorder. But remember, these behaviors and emotions are symptoms of a mental health condition, rather than a desire to cause problems or tension.
Identifying these symptoms is often the key to understanding yourself better. With this awareness, you can seek a diagnosis and access the treatment and support you deserve. When symptoms hit home, many people ask, “How did I get this condition?” Let’s take a closer look at what causes HPD.
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Genetics: HPD can run in families
Acknowledging the roots of histrionic personality disorder can make it easier to extend compassion to yourself and others with this condition. Additionally, recognizing that HPD is a genuine medical disorder can encourage people to seek treatment instead of being held back by shame or stigma.
Understanding how histrionic personality disorder adults daily lives are impacted can be the prompt needed for many to seek adult mental health treatment and support. With this in mind, let’s explore the real-life impact of living with HPD.
While many occasionally want to have their moment in the spotlight, for people with HPD, seeking attention isn’t just a want: it’s a must-have. The intense emotions can rapidly shift, making it seem as if you’re standing on moving sands; never quite finding your footing. And the deep-seated yearning for reassurance and validation? This could lead you to behave in ways that you don’t feel proud of.
Social relationships: Relationships can lack depth and may be perceived as more intimate than they actually are, eventually resulting in disappointment. Additionally, the extreme need for approval, reassurance, and attention can ultimately frustrate or overwhelm friends or family, straining existing relationships or even driving people away. What’s more, the flirtatious behavior associated with HPD may cause irreparable damage in romantic relationships. These highlight some of the interpersonal problems HPD adults experience daily.
However, the good news is that, with treatment, histrionic personality disorder adults can learn to manage symptoms, improve relationships, and build long-lasting emotional stability. Let’s explore the treatment options available in the following sections.
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Personality Disorder support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.
See our residences in Southern California’s Orange County & San Diego County.
Take a look at our homes on the east side of the Metro area in Washington County.
View our facilities in Fairfax County, VA within the DC metro area.
Unfortunately, many people don’t seek treatment for HPD. They may, however, seek help for a completely different issue. For instance, if a different mental health condition is affecting them, if they’ve been shaken emotionally by a loss, or if they sense they are somehow sabotaging themselves.5 It’s also possible that a family member, partner, or friend may encourage them to seek help for either their emotional health or behavioral issues.
Once a person with HPD decides that they want help, therapy is the primary treatment.4
Although research is in short supply for specialized HPD therapy, several therapeutic approaches are thought to be effective. These include:4-8
Psychodynamic therapy: This focuses on exploring childhood experiences and how they contribute to your current beliefs and behavior patterns
Therapy can provide the psychological support HPD adults need to build self-awareness and begin healing.
When symptoms become overwhelming or it feels impossible to cope with daily life, a residential program may be an appropriate treatment option.
Intensive treatment programs for personality disorders, such as HPD, offer a safe, welcoming environment for you to begin healing. In residential treatment centers, you can benefit from:
Intensive residential programs can be especially useful for people who have suicidal thoughts, find it difficult to care for themselves, or who have found outpatient treatment ineffective.
While treatment is a crucial piece of the puzzle, recovery from HPD also means learning healthier ways to express emotions, enhance interpersonal connections, and effectively manage daily challenges. We will look into ways of coping with HPD next.
For histrionic personality disorder adults, learning to cope with their condition takes time, self-compassion, and patience. After all, recovery is about making steady progress toward self-understanding and emotional balance.
If you’re seeking gentle ways to support your healing, these suggestions may help:
Recovering from HPD is a journey, not an overnight quick-fix. But with the right tools, support, and treatment, it’s possible to build a more grounded sense of self and create fulfilling, authentic relationships.
Living with histrionic personality disorder can feel overwhelming, but with the right support and treatment, healing is possible.
At AMFM, we offer residential programs for adults with personality disorders, designed to provide compassionate care, evidence-based therapies, and a safe, structured environment to support your recovery from HPD.
If you or a loved one is struggling to find emotional balance, remember that help is available. Contact us today through our confidential web form to learn more about how we can support you on your journey toward healing. It’s never too late to ask for help.
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