Histrionic Personality Disorder

Alternate Names : HPD, Hystrionic Personality Disorder

A person with histrionic personality disorder constantly seeks attention and behaves dramatically. Emotions often seem exaggerated, childish, and false. This is done to get sympathy or attention from others.

What is going on in the body?

Histrionic personality disorder is a pattern of excessive emotionalism and attention seeking. The person with this disorder is usually immature. He or she is dependent on others, is self-centered, and often vain. The person's behavior is intended to gain attention. The person may not even be aware of the abnormal behavior.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

The cause of histrionic personality disorder is unknown. It may be that learned and inherited traits play a role. The disorder is more common in women than in men.