NAMI Mercer County

Families Meeting the Challenge of Mental Illness

Histrionic Minds

By

Bella Santulli, NAMI Intern

This May, as we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, it is essential to emphasize less-discussed disorders such as Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD) to encourage understanding, challenge stigma, and promote connection for those who feel overlooked or misrepresented.

So, What is HPD? HPD is a mental health condition that involves an unstable center of emotions as well as a distorted self-image. For people with this condition, their self-esteem depends on the approval of others, not themselves. Additionally, they desire to be noticed by others, often exhibiting erratic or impulsive behavior. Researchers estimate that approximately 1% of people have this condition, predominantly women, although more research is being conducted for undiagnosed men. 

The criteria for diagnosing this condition include five or more of the following behaviors.

  • Uncomfortable when not the center of attention.
  • Seductive or provocative behavior.
  • Shifting and shallow emotions.
  • Uses appearance to draw attention.
  • Impressionistic and vague speech.
  • Dramatic or exaggerated emotions.
  • Suggestible (easily influenced by others).
  • Considers relationships more intimate than they are.

It is important for those who have HPD to seek outside support, such as talk therapy or different support groups. Cleveland Clinic recommends these steps because gaining insight into their condition tends to have better outcomes and increased functionality in social relationships. 

Shedding light on Histrionic Personality Disorder, this Mental Health Awareness Month helps bring attention to often less-known or ignored conditions. By understanding HPD, we can build empathy and create space for people to seek help without shame or judgment.

Book of the Week: Boy Parts by Eliza Clark

This novel follows Irina in Newcastle, UK. She is a troubled photographer with a twisted view of herself and others. Her mind is chaoticā€”full of obsession, control, and confusion between what’s real and what’s not. It is a raw look at a woman unraveling and a powerful match for this weekā€™s focus on Histrionic Personality Disorder. 

Resources

References

  • Lovering, Nancy. ā€œTreating Histrionic Personality Disorder.ā€ Edited by Jeffery Ditzell, Psych Central, 14 Oct. 2014, psychcentral.com/disorders/histrionic-personality-disorder/treatment.Ā 
  • ā€œHistrionic Personality Disorder: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.ā€ Cleveland Clinic, 19 Mar. 2025, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9743-histrionic-personality-disorder.Ā 
  • Torrico, Tyler J. ā€œHistrionic Personality Disorder.ā€ National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 June 2024, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542325/#:~:text=Introduction-,Histrionic%20personality%20disorder%20(HPD)%20is%20a%20chronic%2C%20enduring%20psychiatric,late%20adolescence%20or%20early%20adulthood.