Signs and Symptoms of Histrionic Personality Disorder

Medically reviewed by Kira Graves, PhD

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a psychiatric condition that causes symptoms like a strong need for attention-seeking and exaggerated emotions which can lead to frequent mood swings. HPD is one of the four main types of cluster B personality disorders—a type of mental health condition that is known for erratic moods and unpredictable behaviors, among other symptoms. The other cluster B personality disorders include borderline, antisocial, and narcissistic.

Less than 2% of people have HPD, making it one of the less common personality disorders. It's worth noting that people assigned female at birth are also more likely to develop the condition than males. However, those who do have HPD may have symptoms that can significantly disrupt their work, relationships, and well-being. That said, seeing a mental health provider if you or a loved one may be experiencing symptoms can help improve overall quality of life.

Common Symptoms

Those with HPD are often known as having a "larger-than-life" presence. Most people with this condition tend to be charming, vibrant, and lively. But HPD also causes a pattern of emotional instability and erratic behaviors that can deeply affect one's life.

There are different subtypes of HPD, but all types of HPD share a few common symptoms. These include:

• Discomfort when not the center of attention: People with histrionic personality disorder emulate or develop a “larger-than-life” presence to seek attention from other people. Everyone needs attention, support, and care, but those with HPD desire to be the center of attention constantly. When they do not get the attention they're looking for, they may often feel disregarded, uncared for, or unappreciated.

• Hyperfocus on physical appearance: Those with HPD often fixate on their physical appearance and often want to look "dolled-up" or glamorous. They use physical appearance as a way to draw more attention to themselves. They may dress in revealing, bright-colored, shiny, or expensive, brand-named clothing to garner compliments from others.

• Erratic emotions: One of the hallmark symptoms of HPD is constantly shifting emotions and mood swings. For instance, someone may feel extremely sad in one moment, and then act jubilantly in the next. Others may often perceive this change of emotions as shallow, dramatic, or insincere.

• Vague speech: It's common for people with HPD to speak vaguely or in a mysterious fashion. They often talk in a style that lacks detail to gain attention, as a way to entice others to be more interested in their lives.

• Inappropriate seductive behavior: Some people with HPD may act overly flirtatious, seductive, or sexually inappropriate—especially to people they've just met. Interestingly, people with HPD may not even be attracted to the people they're flirting with. They're likely to participate in these behaviors as a means to gain attention from someone new.

• Easily influenced: Being gullible, feeling overly impressed or influenced by others, and fixating on current trends can all be warning signs of HPD.

• Misinterpreted relationships: People with histrionic personality disorder may misconceive their relationships as being closer than they really are. As a result, this can cause frustration and instability in their relationships.

Symptoms by Type

There are a variety of subtypes of HPD. Each type also comes with its own unique characteristics. The following are the seven most common subtypes and the hallmark symptoms of each condition:

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Several symptoms of HPD are similar to those of other personality disorders. That said, your healthcare provider should use a variety of diagnostic tests to rule out other health conditions before making a correct diagnosis.

You should see your healthcare provider or a mental health professional if you are experiencing HPD symptoms that affect your daily activities, work, and social relationships. If you notice that a loved one is experiencing symptoms of the condition, gently encourage them to also seek out care or offer to go with them to their next doctor's appointment for moral support.

At a visit with your provider, you can expect your primary care provider or a referred mental health professional to evaluate your overall behavior and carry out a thorough psychological evaluation to confirm histrionic personality disorder.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (also known as the DSM-5), a healthcare provider may diagnose you with HPD if you have five or more symptoms of HPD. While receiving a diagnosis for your condition may feel scary, getting a proper diagnosis can help you start treatment sooner so you can feel better and improve your quality of life. Your exact treatment plan will often depend on the type of HPD you have and the severity of your symptoms.

A Quick Review

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a psychiatric condition that affects only a small portion of the population. Some of the symptoms of the disorder include constantly seeking attention, having exaggerated emotions or mood swings, feeling uncomfortable or unappreciated when you're not the center of attention, and participating in inappropriate seductive or flirtatious behavior.

It's good practice to see your healthcare provider or a mental health professional if you or a loved one are experiencing HPD symptoms. Your healthcare team can conduct the appropriate psychological evaluations and get you started on treatment if you receive a diagnosis for the condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggers someone to develop HPD symptoms?

The symptoms of HPD are not triggered by any one particular incident or event. Several factors can increase the risk of HPD, such as trauma during childhood and a family history of personality disorders.

What is the difference between HPD and BPD?

Both BPD and HPD are personality disorders that cause intense emotions. But, the most significant difference between BPD and HPD is that people with BPD have a poor self-image while those with HPD display a vibrant and charming attitude.

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