What is Histrionic Personality Disorder? Symptoms and Treatment Explained

#Histrionic #PersonalityDisorder #MentalHealth
One of our Psychological Counsellor's Vasiliki Gkofa talks about Histrionic Personality Disorder. Vasiliki Gkofa is a Clinical Psychology graduate and has completed her MSc in Clinical Neuropsychiatry from King's College London and MSc in Mental Health Research from University College London (UCL).
In this video Vasiliki discusses;
Key Characteristics of someone with Histrionic Personality Disorder
Aetiology
Attachment style
Treatment options
Dr. Becky Spelman is a top Psychologist in London, Becky is the Clinic Director for Private Therapy Clinic which has clinic's based all around central London including; Harley Street, Wigmore Street, Bank, Earls Court & Canary Wharf. Becky uses Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness to treat a range of difficulties with a particular interest in Borderline Personality Disorder and the difficulties that go with this condition such as relationship difficulties, anxiety, depression, low-self esteem, social anxiety, fear of public speaking, fear of intimacy, interpersonal difficulties, anger, body image issues, eating disorders and addictions.
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[@jeanetteherrera3286]

As a person with HPD I am very happy you decided to make this video for they are quite rare in KZbin. I see plenty of YT videos about narcissism but rarely about HPD. So thanks. If you can please make more. I loved this

[@dr.beckyspelman]

Thank you for your comment, we are pleased you enjoyed the video!

[@giovannellis.3160]

@@dr.beckyspelman Hi thank you for your video. If you don’t mind me asking what kind of preparation did you have on the matter? What kind of therapist are you? I’m asking cause i’m learning different type of approach to the matter and i’m interested in yours.

[@ufcocd8284]

hey man i have this what did you do to remove it and deal with it

[@OC2020]

I believe this disorder affects more people than we think including men. It may be getting worse because of social media and other factors in today's society. This is something that has been ignored for a long time.

[@thegoodlydragon7452]

I think my dad's girlfriend has this. At all events she's dramatically monopolizing every conversation, speaking at lighting speed about nothing, and always attacking someone (verbally). She talks about drama at girl's night, and though obviously I'm not there to observe, all the women in my family tell me that she is overwhelmingly the source of it and that without her it tends to be peaceful. I think she "stirs shit up" so to speak because she considers peace boring and doesn't respect others enough to consider pointlessly disturbing them to be morally wrong.

[@giovannellis.3160]

Hi, i didn’t understand the last phrase and i’m interested in your experience would you please mind explaining it with other words? Thank you 🙏🏾

[@Tocinos]

the easiest way to develop HPD is to grow up with bullies and become friends with the bullies to try to be cool

[@thegoodlydragon7452]

From the descriptions I've seen it seems like people with this personality ARE bullies.

[@giovannellis.3160]

@@thegoodlydragon7452 that’s because people who were bullied often become bullies themselves as a reaction and a way to survive bullying. In the end bullying is harmful either way.

[@OC2020]

I would say its the opposite, they ones that were bullied as a youth become those.

[@julesa1754]

​@@giovannellis.3160 Yes, bullying has psychologically collateral damage. It's like a chain reaction

[@amandagriffiths8280]

Part of the reason i developed histrionic personality, was due to abuse and lack of care with parents, in particular mother.

[@nirvanaselic]

:(

[@jennyquezada9644]

Would you elaborate? Did your Mom raised you or another person?

[@nirvanaselic]

@@jennyquezada9644 I guess that is pretty personal.

[@skyc.j4571]

Same

[@Indy_Girl]

Same here.

[@ianwallisyanchep]

I know someone with this disorder...they are close. It is very hard to know if they have a genuine liking to you as a partner or not. There are endless doubts of trust and knowing it will end in hurt. People with HPD find it very hard to be committed in a relationship, some with HPD that don't trust themselves being faithful fear relationships. If they are in one they see their partner as more of a favorite part time convenience or leaning post while they flirt with anyone else that pays the slightest attention to them or gives the smallest gift. They give an impression of living two separate lives. One with their partner and one with every other person. They don't understand other peoples emotions are different to theirs, they don't understand their actions have an impact on someone without the disorder that emotionally invests in them. What makes them happy is flattery and there is only so much flattery you can give until you bore yourself... they WILL NEVER mature properly. HPD is very close to NPD but with some empathy and less cruelty, but in general it can cause high emotional abuse with the histrionic person not even knowing what emotional damage they have done to their partner 🤷‍♂ If you know someone with this disorder and they are not getting treatment and you think you can change them be their friend, do not be their partner, tell them to get treatment but be nice as you can be. 😊😊

[@dr.beckyspelman]

Thank you for sharing

[@zebrastripes3786]

Very accurate description,most people get it confused with NPD and BPD. My best friend is histrionic and I didn’t point it out that she has this personality disorder but advised she see someone when she gets into those depressing moods during those brief periods when she can’t get any male attention. She said she can’t because she’s a dentist and that might effect her or hinder her from practicing dentistry. She’s a caring sweet person,feel bad for her.

[@julesa1754]

Accurate

[@caramelfantasy4035]

As someone with hpd, the reason i feel the need for validation via flattery is because: 1)my father criticised me a lot. He wanted me to be a perfect child. Proper stance, walk and talk and eloquence was pushed onto me since i was a little child. He didn't let me play certain sports because they were too manly/dangerous. He never applauded my achievements at school because he always focused on cricising my failures. He flirted with every woman he met and was emotionally and psychologically manipulative towards my mom 2)My mom is very attractive and every man who met her couldn't help but shoot their shot. I saw that she was always so flattered and would entertain them for a minute or so before saying she was happily married and walking away. 3 In high-school, i felt rebellious and became a tomboy dominating in all sports in my category, school elections and anything i could get my hands on. This threatened a lot of guys but i still desired a relationship. The void i felt created a need for validation via flattery because I couldn't get it from the people I wanted. I still attracted a handful of people but only kept them around for praise and gratification 4)After turning legal age and working out physically, I realised flirting was fun beyond the verbal aspect. You could make a statement with your entire body, expressions and personality. I learnt seduction is a form of manipulation. 5) I was bullied a lot growing up in all ways. Young girls are so cruel amongst eachother. I found myself turning into a bully out of fear or becoming allies with bullies to stay safe

[@asharajbhar1176]

​@@caramelfantasy4035so you flirt consciously?? Don't u get offended if someone points you out that it's inappropriate?

[@devoragoldman7150]

Very comprehensive and well presented- thank you!

[@Sarit473]

I'm histrionic and I believe I also have BPD traits, my father was a narcissist. Cluster B life IoI

[@strawbemmy]

im worried that i have some aspects of this. i find myself being manipulative and purposely vague sometimes, in order to get some kind of acknowledgement. but i honestly dislike attention-- i dont like when all eyes are on me and im certainly not flirtatious or extroverted. i felt really invisible as an older child/early teen because my sister had anger issues, so everything my family did was for her sake. i had to do what she wanted so she wouldnt get angry. she wanted to be homeschooled, so i had to be too. i lost all my friends and was just isolated in my house all day while my mom was at work. since then, i've found myself having attention-seeking behaviors and craving pity. i make things sound worse than they are because growing up, i saw with my sister that being sad/upest=getting love, and im having a hard time unlearning that. i dont let myself have relationships because i know that im clingy and i dont think i would be a good girlfriend. im scared im "toxic". could that be histrionic personality disorder? or narcissism? im really scared of these disorder because i only ever hear people talk about how to "spot" these people and stories of "surviving" people with these disorders. i dont want to be malicious or abusive, but thats all ive ever seen people with these disorders portrayed as. does it make you inherently bad or abusive? i really, really want to be a good person and im scared i cant be if i have a personality disorder.

[@kateashby3066]

I want to say ditto to the other comment. The fact that you’re THIS self aware is huge. Also, there’s a reason why a patient must check MULTIPLE boxes in order to be diagnosed. Lots of children grow up to have relationship issues if they were neglected, myself included. Frankly I never sought therapy for my crippling issues because I dealt with them in another manner. I am a recovering alcoholic so I did step work to uncover all of my stuff. Then once I became aware of it (like you are here) I took steps to undo the trauma. Because my issues were rooted in low self worth, I got to work healing that. My attention seeking behavior slowly dissolved after. Now I’m an introvert and very happy not dating or having people pay me attention. If I do date, I am self aware about my old clingy tendencies and I practice contrary action. But because I am mostly healed from this I don’t tend to be toxic in relationships NEARLY as much as before. Now it’s more like “old habits die hard” sorta thing. But being self aware fixes that.

[@wildrose5554]

I’m really happy you shared this! Just because you are aware doesn’t mean it rules out a personality disorder. It does sound like you have tendencies of it. And despite that, good for you for being so honest with yourself! The people who write things about “spotting” a narcissist or BPD, they are not ok! It’s one thing to work out situations people have had it is another to judge an entire diagnosis. A personality disorder does not make you a bad person! Find those who can support you in a healthy way! There is so much stigma around it. But yes I would say yes it sounds like you have some HPD. Some of that is cultural too in that as a society we have learned the act of persuading others which would mean expressing things more than they are to get ppl to feel sorry for you, as a society and with social media many ppl are hpd without realizing it. And guess what? When people own it it’s ok, do not isolate yourself keep trying to socialize, date if you want but a healthy partner who will go to counseling to work things out. Good luck! And remember you are awesome the way you are! Personality disorders do not make a person “bad” it sounds like your main thing would be anxiety tho!

[@deren2001]

You are too self-aware, Narcists and HPDers are usually not aware of themselves, even very proud of who they are, Attention-seeking behaviours and craving pity. being clingy might point at the direction of a dependant personality or anxious-preoccupied attachment issues. Reading your history its just a guess of course, but you can google this

[@caramelfantasy4035]

Awh hunny, sorry you went through that♡ I know what it's like. I think I might be histrionic as well and relate to everything you said except on my end, I am flirtatious and ambiverted. My mom is beautiful and everywhere i'd go as a child, she was complimented or flirted with. On occasion she would discipline me(+punishment) by hitting me with her shoes or sticks till they wore out. I told her how that made me feel when i got older and she never repeated it with her my other siblings. My father is a narcissist. Overt, Oblivious and Sexual. He also barely paid me any attention after fighting for me in a custody battle with my mom. He is really successful but boy did he cook up dysfunction in the family. I'm hyperaware of my traits and wish I knew how to change. Therapy feels like it's not doing enough. I'm disciplined and couldn't bear the thought of cheating on a partner or betraying a friend but the temptations are strong

[@caramelfantasy4035]

​@@deren2001 i came to realise i was possibly histrionic a few days ago. I have been trying to get help and spent way too much money on treatments, meds, therapy etc for years. None could tell me what was wrong with me. My whole life i've always felt i was on the brink of something extraordinary but i was always hesitant to take that final step forward. I think it is possible to be histrionic and self aware. Whole time i thought i was a narcissist but every therapist said "narcissists usually don't consider themselves narcissists". This histrionic disorder however, fits like a glove

[@glenthomas2988]

I was engaged to a woman with this disorder. She lied soo much I pray that the lord forgives her come judgment day. She made up illnesses to get attention lied to people for attention. Tried to start unnecessary drama so she can be the center of attention. It was a very strange experience.

[@jonnnybravo4092]

2nd this.

[@aonyx5270]

I bet you're happy you're out of there. Takes most people a long time to realize something is off.

[@antiherojourney6344]

Best one yet

[@delovely1577]

Had an ex friend constantly seeking out and entertaining married men then when she realizes it's just about the physical and they're not going to leave the wife for her she'll make up some menial reason to absolutely go off on them. Then be upset when they don't want to deal with her anymore. It's so exhausting to watch the same thing play out over and over. And God knows if she knew them at 16 (nearly 40 now) they have some elevated place in her life as if she'd been in close contact with them through the years. Had to pull back.....just exhausting to deal with

[@nirvanaselic]

Amazing video

[@amandagriffiths8280]

I have this disorder. I was diagnosed 4 years ago. Never had treatment for it. Due to cost.

[@giovannellis.3160]

i have it too i worked on in for 12 years, my therapist told me i’ve learned to deal with it better, sometimes something will trigger that old behavior but now at least i can see myself recognizing that trigger, before or at least after it happened. The cost, which i often used as reason not to go, at one point started to become higher than the actual cost of my life, which was put in jeopardy by this disorder. Hope you’ll find the strength or the possibility to obtain the right therapy for you.

[@phoenixrisin2269]

There is no cure

[@cleancut39]

The movie "What about Bob" with Bill Murray is a perfect example of this. I've always loved this movie and now I know why. A family member has this disorder, watching gives a perspective on the disorder.

[@AlejandraRojas-wu3lx]

Thank you so much

[@airendur]

Wow, cool trick with the glasses! :D

[@expensivepink7]

thank you so much

[@chandlerthompson3491]

Curious, I feel like my recent ex definitely has some sub-type of Borderline Personality Disorder. We dated for two years and I found out she was doing a lot of gross stuff behind my back. She always needed validation and attention. From what I am told she would get naked at parties or always try to get naked at parties when I wasn't there. She would flirt with everyone (guys and girls) when I wasn't around. Had a sugar daddy pay for her things behind my back. Ended a two-year relationship together and she already had a backup boyfriend that she was talking to before we broke up. It sounds like this disorder describes her perfectly. Thoughts?

[@thomasfrench5767]

damn bro that sucks. hope things get better

[@aonyx5270]

Yep. She sounds like a mix of narcissist and histrionic. Be grateful you're out of there!

[@alit7313]

You dodged a bullet. It’d be hell with someone with no sense of normal self control.

[@namibalt2715]

I have this disorder,I always go and talk to anyone in my class even if he is not interested and I want to develop close relationships with everyone and I sound to people as someone who is a show off .Now , I am taking a treatment and I hope I will get rid of this cause I was never like that before. Hope I will succeed.and also I lost interest in many things and I guess it is because I was not doing it for myself but for other s attention or appreciation andthere s a lot of people who will take advantage of that people pleasing character.

[@dr.beckyspelman]

Thank you for sharing

[@HappinessOrDeath]

Amazing insight thankyou and all the best!

[@caramelfantasy4035]

Felt. It's like discovering your real personality and leaving behind the one that was made or expected for you by family, buliies etc

[@AshTheDuke]

small kids have this transform this habit during adult hood

[@VanessaDayleRaeWaggoner]

Thank you for making space for a lesser known personality type. The ENfJ 2w1 279 (me)

[@Houseproudasamotherhen]

Hi I’m not sure if I’m interested in the contents of this video. I just want to say though that looking at the thumbnail of this video I noticed that your hair in stunning. It’s so shiny.

[@cleancut39]

Please elaborate more on their attachment style. As a layman, I understand that there is 4 types and what you referred I could find. Thanks

[@jessicamessica2271]

I'd imagine most hystronics are heavily anxious or fearful avoident. And that drives part of the behavior. Dissmissives in general tend not to seek attention to themselves and to be avoident, secures only need a reasonable and normal amount of attention. Tbh how personality disorders and attachment theory overlap is very interesting. The thing that's complicated is sometimes you will see similar behaviors from different people but you have to try to figure out what is motivating them.

[@caramelfantasy4035]

I'm HPD and avoidant

[@swordsnorchids1997]

I'm worried that my bff/niece has this because she always shows all of the symptoms and every time it feels stranger and I'm more introverted myself but it just doesn't seem to be normal extroverted behaviour honestly, I'm not sure since there's no real diagnosis but it's sad to me...

[@dr.beckyspelman]

We can offer you a free 15 minute phone call with one of our practitioners to discuss this further?

[@personalitydisorder-sirbri1294]

Is my personalty disorder rare or am I the only person with my comment my video.

[@matttaylor3086]

So refreshing to finally find a cure for hsv 1&2 thank you so much Dr Oseghale Sunday Herbal Home ..

[@terminatedaccount8750]

observational learning and histrionic celebs aren't helpful either... band wagon effects and introspection illusions start to occur

[@dr.beckyspelman]

Thank you for your comment

[@terminatedaccount8750]

@@dr.beckyspelman i learned stuff from these playlist... Human Behavioral Biology Stanford 25 videos Sociology NYU 25 videos Anthropology Yale 31 videos Psychology MIT 24 videos Political Science Yale 98 videos

[@sarahconkle9608]

Risha.

[@frenchycanada]

My X to a T. I'd be sitting down at a posh resto with her and if you were across the room you'd think she was tearing me a new asshole but all she was doing was talking about her day. She'd invite strangers into our conversations by speaking loudly. Her whole persona changed with different partners. She would follow the teams I followed. She would like what I liked etc.....Sports with her x were dismissed once she was with me and then our sports (scuba) was put aside for her new guy........she used the word 'literal' way too much, everything was over dramatized and what she told me about events in her past I found out were not exactly accurate. She always had a better story...ie...if I broke my foot, she would say she broke her leg! I used to tell her that she was demeaning the experiences of other people but she never caught on. Missing a flight was a huge embarrassing production.....her mom (the matriarch) held back positive reinforcement when she was a kid......could never do anything right and when she did, it wasn't acknowedged. Difficult to treat as they don't believe anything is wrong with them..

[@janedoe1776]

Open cultures- Hispanic and Asian. Didn’t see Austrian in there. Forever shamed lol.

[@benunwin6836]

I.e. Michael Scott from the Office

[@shirleysargent3739]

Men have this too

[@aonyx5270]

I knew a guy who was a total hypochondriac, always inventing medical conditions that garnered him sympathy and attention.

[@ianwallisyanchep]

If their sick I'm sicker syndrome

[@Ha-xv1gf]

So such studies it your own opinion .. well Freud got it wrong ..

[@rosa-thorn]

my head hurts just trying to hear all the things they need. they are so much work and i have no sympathy for them bc i don’t understand this personality and frankly they sound draining and super annoying to live with good luck lol

[@emen7968]

You beautifull

[@mg4141]

My sister has this. My parents wont get make her get help. She is awful to be around. I hate it.

[@rinzler666]

You are super cute btw

[@dr.beckyspelman]

Thank you for watching