Thread by @docrussjackson

Dear Katie, Piers, Tommeh, Julia, Nigel & Boris,

The pattern of excessive emotional expression - and pathological attention seeking - starts in late teen or early adult years, but help is available.

theawarenesscentre.com/histrionic-per…

You feel uncomfortable in situations where you are not the centre of attention.

Interacting with others often involves using inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behaviour.

The way you express emotion is often shallow, and you can shift rapidly from topic to topic.

You consistently use your physical appearance to draw attention to yourself.

Your style of speech is vague and lacking in detail, and you can come across as insincere and fickle.

You are overly dramatic, theatrical, and show an exaggerated expression of emotion.

Your reaction may seem out of proportion to the circumstances, and this can be embarrassing for those around you.

You are easily influenced by others or circumstances.

You often consider relationships to be more intimate than they actually are.

In order to be diagnosed, people with histrionic personality disorder need to display at least five of these traits consistently over time. There also needs to be a significant impairment in how they see themselves, or how they function interpersonally.

For example, if intimate relationships & close friendships are difficult for them. They can often alienate people because of the need for constant attention. While they are regarded as ‘drama queens’, people with histrionic personality disorder really struggle to be on their own.

Long-term psychotherapy is recommended for people who recognise that they have the condition, and that the symptoms are making their lives and relationships unmanageable. Psychotherapy to adapt their behaviours so they are less likely to alienate others.