What is histrionic personality disorder?

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) is a mental health

condition marked by intense, unstable emotions and a distorted
self-image. The word “histrionic” means “dramatic or theatrical.”

For people with histrionic personality disorder, their self-esteem

depends on the approval of others and doesn’t come from a
true feeling of self-worth. They have an overwhelming desire to
be noticed and often behave dramatically or inappropriately to
get attention.

People with histrionic personality disorder often don’t realize

their behavior and way of thinking may be problematic.

Histrionic personality disorder is one of a group of conditions

called “Cluster B” personality disorders, which involve dramatic
and erratic behavior.
Who does histrionic personality disorder affect?

Histrionic personality disorder usually begins in your late teens

or early 20s.

Women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are more

commonly diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder than
men and people assigned male at birth (AMAB), but
researchers think that men and people AMAB may be
underdiagnosed.
How common is histrionic personality disorder?

Histrionic personality disorder is relatively rare. Researchers

estimate that about 1% of people have the condition.