Performing personality disorder (HPD) is a psychological disorder, whose main characteristics are excessive attention seeking, emotional exaggeration and dramatic social behavior. This article will explore the definition, manifestations and effective treatments of this disorder to help you better understand this psychological phenomenon.
What is performative personality disorder?
Some people want to be the focus of attention no matter when and where. They may attract others’ attention through exaggerated expressions, words or actions, and may even use alarmist, self-harm or exaggerate facts to gain recognition or sympathy from others. This behavior may stem from a psychological problem - Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD).
Performing personality disorder, also known as hysterical personality disorder, attention-seeking personality disorder or psychological childish personality disorder, all reflect their core characteristics: emotional, dramatic, and immature personality.
The difference between performing personality disorder and hysteria
Hysteria is a neurosis that manifests as physical symptoms that cannot be explained by medical reasons, such as transient blindness, loss of voice or paralysis. In the past, hysteria and performance personality disorder were considered the same thing, but clinical studies have shown that the two are not exactly the same. Today, most psychologists tend to study it separately.
According to foreign studies, the prevalence of performing personality disorder is about 2.2%**, with female patients twice as many as males. The formation of this disorder may be related to traumatic experiences, family environment, and cultural factors during childhood. Generally speaking, the symptoms of performing personality disorder will begin to appear in adolescence. If timely intervention is not done, it may affect your personal social and professional development. However, some patients may experience symptoms as they age.
Typical manifestations of performing personality disorder
1. Exaggerated expressions and emotions
This type of individual likes to express emotions with exaggerated facial expressions or body language, just like performing on stage. However, their emotional expressions are often superficial and lack real emotional depth.
2. Prone to suggestion and lack of independent judgment
They are easily influenced by others and lack independent judgment skills. They also tend to get attention by suggestive or provocative means.
3. Self-centered
They are usually self-centered and expect others to meet their needs. If ignored or rejected, strong dissatisfaction or anger may be shown.
4. Desire for praise and sympathy
They are extremely eager for external recognition and often exaggerate their achievements or difficulties to gain attention and sympathy from others.
5. Likes excitement and acts impulsively
They like to pursue freshness and excitement and do not consider the consequences very much. This behavioral pattern may lead them to indulge in alcohol, drugs, or unstable intimacy.
6. Extreme attention to demand
They need constant attention or they may feel empty or anxious. To gain attention, they may make extreme actions such as sensationalism, intentional conflict, and even self-harm.
7. Emotional fluctuations and lack of logical thinking
Their emotions are easily affected by the external environment and lack logical or rational judgment ability. Attitudes toward others may change drastically in a short period of time.
8. Exaggerated, lack of authenticity
When they tell things, they often add exaggerated details or fantasy elements to make the story sound more dramatic.
If a person meets three or more of the above eight aspects, further psychological assessment may be required.
Treatment and coping methods for performing personality disorder
Treatment of performing personality disorder is more complicated because patients are usually not aware of their problems or refuse to change. Here are some effective treatments:
1. Cognitive Enlightenment Therapy
This therapy helps patients review their growth experiences and analyze their own behavior patterns, so that they can understand themselves more clearly and gradually develop more mature personality.
2. Rational Emotion Therapy (RET)
By educating patients on how to handle emotions rationally, helping them to respond more appropriately when facing social or stressful situations.
3. Crisis Intervention
For patients with self-harm or suicidal tendencies, crisis interventions can promptly identify risks and provide emotional support and professional assistance to prevent serious consequences.
How to adjust yourself?
In addition to professional treatment, patients can also improve their status by:
1. Improve self-awareness
Patients should face their own problems and can increase their understanding of themselves through psychology books, articles or tests. For example, the Eisenk Personality Questionnaire EPQ can help you understand your personality traits.
2. Improve interpersonal relationships
Learn how to build healthy relationships with others and respect their needs and feelings. You can try social skills training or group psychotherapy.
3. Cultivate interests and hobbies
Find hobbies that bring satisfaction, such as painting, music, writing or exercise, to reduce dependence on external attention.
4. Stay a positive mindset
Use mindful meditation, relaxation training and other methods to regulate emotions and reduce anxiety and impulsive behaviors.
If you want to test your personality type, try:
- ** Test your friends’ impressions of you **
- ** NPI-16 Narcissistic Personality Scale **
- ** Subconscious personality test **
If you are interested in more psychological tests, please visit the official website of PsycTest (psychtest.cn).
Link to this article: https://m.psyctest.cn/article/Aexwp3dQ/
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