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Histrionic Personality Disorder 
American Description 

Diagnostic Criteria
A pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention seeking, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following: 
is uncomfortable in situations in which he or she is not the center of attention 
interaction with others is often characterized by inappropriate sexually seductive or provocative behavior 
displays rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions 
consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self 
has a style of speech that is excessively impressionistic and lacking in detail 
shows self-dramatization, theatricality, and exaggerated expression of emotion 
is suggestible, i.e., easily influenced by others or circumstances 
considers relationships to be more intimate than they actually are 

Associated Features
Depressed Mood 
Somatic/Sexual Dysfunction 
Anxious/Fearful/Dependent Personality 
Dramatic/Erratic/Antisocial Personality 

Differential Diagnosis
Borderline Personality Disorder; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Narcissistic Personality Disorder; Dependent Personality Disorder; Personality Change Due to a General Medical Condition; symptoms that may develop in association with chronic substance use. 

Internet Mental Health (www.mentalhealth.com) copyright © 1995-2000 by Phillip W. Long, M.D. 

 

 

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