Histrionic Personality Disorder

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Histrionic Personality Disorder in Adults: Impact on Functioning and Recovery Resources

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:

  • What HPD is
  • HPD symptoms and treatment
  • Causes of histrionic personality disorder
  • The impact of HPD on daily life
  • Coping strategies for HPD
  • Where to find professional support
Man doing a backflip showing off in front of his friends due to histrionic personality disorder in adults

What Is Histrionic Personality Disorder?

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a mental health condition. It is one of ten recognized personality disorders characterized by long-term patterns of problematic self-perception and reactions to others that cause issues.1 It falls within the category of “cluster B personality disorders”, which are known for intense emotions, impulsivity, and a deep-rooted need for connection.2

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. 

Recognizing Signs of HPD

Noticing the symptoms of HPD in adults isn’t always straightforward due to how it has similar symptoms to other conditions.4

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
  • Rapidly shifting emotions: Moods can feel intense and change quickly, and they can sometimes be perceived by others as seeming “shallow” or “fake”
  • Seeming dramatic: Acting extroverted or animated, as though performing on a stage
  • Reassurance-seeking: Asking others for validation or reassurance about how they are seen
  • Intense relationships: Thinking relationships with others are closer than they usually are
  • Impulsivity: Making decisions based on their desire for attention or excitement, or on other people’s opinions

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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Causes of HPD

The exact causes of HPD aren’t fully known. Still, research shows that several factors may contribute to its development, including:4,5

  • Genetics:     HPD can run in families
  • Childhood trauma: Childhood trauma, abuse, or neglect increases the risk of developing HPD
  • Environmental influences: Children whose parents lacked boundaries, were inconsistent, dramatic, erratic, or volatile, may be more vulnerable to HPD
  • History of neurological damage: Head trauma or stroke, for instance, can raise the risk of developing HPD

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. 

Impact of Untreated 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. 

Areas of Impact

Let’s look at how living with HPD can affect life, one area at a time:5,6

  • 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.
  • Work: Jobs that are repetitive, routine, or require analytical thinking can be a challenge due to boredom. Also, receiving criticism or feedback from colleagues or managers can be very difficult. This can cause people to experience ruptures in their working relationships, or a person may leave their job to avoid receiving criticism or feedback. 
  • Emotional well-being: Rapid emotional changes, frustration when not in the limelight, or feeling empty when alone can be a large part of HPD. 
  • Mental health: People with HPD are at a higher risk of developing co-occurring mental health conditions, including depression, somatic symptom disorder, and panic attacks. 
  • Self-image: People with HPD often have fragile self-esteem or self-worth, relying on others for praise, attention, and approval. What’s more, they often lack the insight and self-awareness to see how their behaviors may cause problems or be entirely inappropriate.

Can HPD Be Treated?

Self-awareness often plays an essential role in spotting symptoms of HPD, yet many people with HPD lack this skill. They may not even realize their behavior is an issue. Still, friends and family can help out by looking for warning signs. This is important because histrionic personality disorder is unlikely to get better without treatment.4

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.

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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.

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Effective Treatments for Histrionic Personality Disorder Adults

You may be wondering If people with HPD aren’t aware that they have this condition, how do they get treatment?

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 

Therapy for Histrionic Behavior

The main treatment for HPD is psychotherapy, also referred to as ”talking therapy”. Therapy can help a person to better regulate emotions, understand the impact their actions have on others, and change unhelpful thinking patterns. The knock-on effect of this can be positive for relationships, both personal and at work.6 

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
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a structured, goal-oriented type of thought and behavioral modification therapy that can help you change unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors to improve erratic actions and act more calmly 
  • Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT): The basis of CAT is that symptom intensity can be reduced by exploring the way you think, feel, and act
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): At its core, DBT helps you manage emotions, tolerate stress, and improve relationships with others
  • Group therapy: Group therapy can be useful if the group is specifically for people with HPD, as they are given the opportunity to see their behaviors reflected back at them through their peers. 

Therapy can provide the psychological support HPD adults need to build self-awareness and begin healing. 

Personality Disorders Residential Care

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:

  • A structured environment
  • Crisis stabilization
  • 24/7 support from mental health professionals
  • Frequent therapy sessions
  • Personalized treatment plans
  • A safe space to focus solely on healing
  • Scheduled activities to complement your recovery journey

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. 

Coping With Histrionic Personality Disorder

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:

  • Learn about HPD: With knowledge comes clarity, and by understanding more about HPD and becoming more aware of your own patterns and triggers, you can begin making more grounded choices in daily life. 
  • Build self-awareness: Reflecting on your feelings can help you discover how they shape your behavior and relationships. You could try journaling your thoughts or feelings each day to better understand yourself. Alternatively, mindfulness practices can help people slow down, be present in the moment, and become more able to recognize their feelings. 
  • Strengthen self-worth: Identify and challenge critical self-talk, and spend some alone time doing things you enjoy to rediscover passions and build inner-confidence.
  • Practice emotional regulation: Pausing before reacting can help you better manage your emotions. You may want to consider exercises, like mindfulness or deep breathing, that offer you the space to pause before responding to situations. 
  • Cultivate healthy independence: Your opinions matter, and a great way to discover your values, goals, and preferences in life is to write them down in a journal. Over time, you may feel more secure in your own values and rely less on others for their thoughts. 
  • Seek ongoing support: A therapist can provide guidance and emotional support while you’re coping with dramatic behavior changes and building healthier habits. 

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. 

Find Stability From Personality Disorders With AMFM

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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References

  1. American Psychological Association (APA). (2023, November 15). Personality disorders (PD). APA Dictionary of Psychology. https://dictionary.apa.org/personality-disorder
  2. Mayo Clinic. (2023, July 14). Personality disorders – Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20354463
  3. American Psychological Association (APA). (2023, November 15). Histrionic personality disorder. APA Dictionary of Psychology. https://dictionary.apa.org/histrionic-personality-disorder
  4. Torrico, T. J., French, J. H., Aslam, S. P., & Shrestha, S. (2024, June 20). Histrionic Personality Disorder. StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542325/
  5. Cleveland Clinic. (2025, November 6). Histrionic Personality Disorder. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9743-histrionic-personality-disorder#symptoms-and-causes
  6. Morales-Brown, L. (2020, October 20). What is histrionic personality disorder? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/histrionic-personality-disorder#complications
  7. Wisner, W. (2025, January 10). Histrionic Personality Disorder: Signs, symptoms, and treatment options. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/histrionic-personality-disorder-8754100#toc-treatment-and-management
  8. Kellett S. (2007). A time series evaluation of the treatment of histrionic personality disorder with cognitive analytic therapy. Psychology and psychotherapy, 80(Pt 3), 389–405. https://doi.org/10.1348/147608306X161421

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